A HOTEL and spa development planned for Monmouth will create 150 jobs and boost the local economy by more than £5m.

An outline planning application for the complex has been submitted to Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) by Alchemy Hospitality Management Ltd.

The proposal includes demolition of the existing industrial sheds and the erection of a 60 two-bed hotel and spa with car parking for 280 cars.

The development will directly create around 300 jobs during construction and 125 full time equivalent jobs. It is hoped that the majority of these latter positions will be filled by local people. These jobs will be a cross section of different skills and expertise including specialist department managers, receptionists, housekeepers, chefs, catering and waiting staff, wellness instructors, therapists spa assistants and porters.

The hotel concept involves creating a ‘Monmouth’ branded hotel, rather than a cloned brand of a chain hotel.

This means that the hotel would work closely with local tourism businesses and suppliers for the goods and services necessary to run the hotel. This would help support other local jobs indirectly.

MCC estimates that, based on 120 beds, £2.225m will be generated for the local economy. But the real value to the economy will be around £5.6 million per year as the hotel is targeting higher spend visitor categories.

Read more in this week’s Beacon.