UPDATE: Leicester get closer to build hotel at Welford Road

Leicester's plans for the development of a new hotel complex at Welford Road are moving closer with club now close to finalising planning with the city council.
The Tigers plan for a £22m development to be built on the 1.7-acre Granby Hall car park site and is expected to be completed for the 2019/20 season.
The proposed hotel will boast 165 rooms over five floors, together with meeting rooms and conference space, reception, lounge and dining areas as well as a leisure complex including a fitness suite, restaurant, sky bar and retail units.
The plans also include car parking for hotel guests and enhanced Leicester Tigers conference, corporate and supporter facilities. Welford Road already offers 35 suits and almost 3,500 sqm of event space and is the largest venue of its kind in the East Midlands.
In 2016, Leicester City Council agreed to sell the Granby Halls site, which used to be home to a popular live music and sports arena, to the club. The site is currently used as an NCP car park.
The proposed hotel and site redevelopment has been led by national construction consultancy Pick Everard, whose head office is in Leicester city centre.
Managing partner Duncan Green has worked closely with the Leicester Tigers board of directors in liaising with Leicester City Council and prospective investors.
Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen said: “I'm pleased to announce further news on the proposed development of the Granby Halls car park site. It's been a detailed process to get to this point and we thought it was important to share an update on the progress so far.
“Liaising with potential investors and the city council, we're close to reaching an agreement with a global hotel provider to operate a high quality hotel complex which will add an exciting dimension for fans, partners, businesses and the city of Leicester.
“As UK rugby's best-supported club, sport continues to be a driving force in putting this city on the map and the fact that we will be able to offer top-of-the-range accommodation will enhance the city's strong sporting profile.”
Duncan Green, managing partner at Pick Everard, added: “”Building a high quality hotel at the Tigers will significantly strengthen their place as a major sporting, leisure and community destination.  Working with the City Council and the club we have been able to develop a scheme that makes the best use of the old Granby Halls site, supporting the Tigers and reaching out to businesses and the local communities through its new facilities and jobs.  It's a great scheme that will create a new Leicester landmark and will continue the progression of high quality developments that are so important to the City”