A NEW 109-bed city centre hotel in Chester will be operated by easyHotel, it has been revealed.

The company, which operates ‘super budget hotels’, announced yesterday that it has acquired the site at Forest Street, off Love Street.

A spokesman said: “easyHotel has agreed to acquire the freehold of a central site in the historical city of Chester for the development of a new-build 109-bedroom hotel. The acquisition is subject to planning permission.

“The brownfield site will be developed into a purpose-built hotel that is expected to open in 2019. The hotel is being delivered to easyHotel as a turnkey development and the total expected cost for acquisition and construction is approximately £7 million.”

The Standard reported in February that planning consultancy Lichfields had secured an amended permission for the development from Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The original permission was granted in 2007, but following the demolition of the offices on the site the project stalled during the credit crunch.

easyHotel heaped praise on Chester following the announcement of the acquisition of the freehold.

The spokesman said: “Located on Forest Street, the site is ideally situated just 500 metres from Chester railway station and close to the centre of this historic walled city.

“A popular tourist destination, Chester is well known for its well preserved Roman forts, walls and amphitheatre with a number of major leisure attractions nearby including Chester zoo, Chester race course, Chester castle and Tatton park.

“The city is a busy shopping destination with a thriving business park, well-known as a specialist hub for financial services and biotech businesses. “

Brian O’Connor, associate director at the Manchester office of Lichfields, said previously: “The new hotel will provide a vital service, regenerate this long-term derelict site, which is long overdue, and help to generate further use of the facilities and services currently provided in the city.”