Civic leaders welcome hotel plans for Wakefield's former Westgate Railway Station

Wakefield Council last month announced the appointment of a developer to build the 100-bed hotel to meet “growing demand from visitors and business travellers.”

The local authority bought the old station site for almost £600,000 in an agreement with Northern Rail in 2023 as part of a regeneration masterplan for the city.

The site became vacant when Westgate Station was redeveloped in the early 2010s.

ION Developments has been chosen to build the hotel and a “major brand” to operate it is expected to be announced later this year.

Commenting on the proposals, Jack Hemingway, the council’s cabinet member holder for regeneration and economic growth, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome this new hotel development to Wakefield.

“We know that we have been missing a hotel in Wakefield for some time.

“We have got some fantastic cultural offers around the district like, The Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Wakefield Exchange.

“People do want to stay in Wakefield and this will enhance that offer and provide them the opportunity to do so.”

Final designs for the new hotel have yet to be confirmed but construction is expected to start in 2027, subject to planning permission being granted.

The scheme has experienced delays, with the council having previously said construction work would start either in 2025 or early 2026.

Coun Hemingway added: “It does take time to get things right sometimes, but it will bring money into the local economy, it will allow people to spend in local businesses.

“Rather than just come for a day and go home, they might want to go out on an evening and spend money on local hospitality.

“It’s something that has been missing for a while and this is a positive chance to improve that.”

Around £8m has been provided from the government’s Local Regeneration Fund to support the development.

Kevin Trickett, president of Wakefield Civic Society said: “Overall we welcome this proposal.

“Wakefield is really short of city centre hotels.

“We need a range of hotels that meet the aspiration and ambition of the city to attract more visitors.

“We are already seeing an increase in the number of people coming to the city for leisure and business, but we are short of hotels in the city centre.

“We welcome the idea of a new hotel here right next to the station.

Mr Trickett said the site was surrounded by a range of historic listed buildings as well as “ultra modern” structures.

He said: “Our message to the developer is, when you start to design this hotel, take account of the context and the setting and be sympathetic to the colour palette and choice of materials that you see around us in the buildings that are here.”

Steve Parry, managing director of ION Developments, said: “The setting of the hotel will be enhanced by our plans to integrate it with the surrounding historic buildings and new green spaces, providing a characterful environment in an excellent location.

“We are looking forward to working with the council to deliver the hotel, maximising its social and economic impact and contributing to the city’s future growth.”