Mansfield Town owner John Radford says he will ‘carefully consider’ advancing proposals of building a new hotel at One Call Stadium.
It follows the news that Mansfield District Council rejected Mr Radford’s plans to build a new hotel on the site of the old bus station on Rosemary Street.
It was revealed last Thursday that Mr Radford had submitted a bid for a new hotel on the former bus station, which is now used for parking.
A day later, Mansfield District Council released a statement noting that Mr Radford’s proposal was ‘not the preferred bid’.
In response, and for purposes of continuing transparency to our club’s supporters, Mr Radford told www.mansfieldtown.net: “I am bitterly disappointed that my plans for a new hotel in Mansfield, flagshipped by a global brand, have been held back.
“It was an exciting project for our local area and the football club and I pledged to keep our supporters and the people of Mansfield abreast with developments and will continue to do so whenever possible.
“For clarity, it should be known that I initially met with the mayor on 30 January 2017 to discuss initial proposals for a new hotel at One Call Stadium.
“A subsequent meeting was held with the mayor and council more recently on 19 September. At this meeting I was persuaded that it was in the best interests of the town to build a hotel on the site of the old bus station.
“After paying fees for architects and surveyors, I was both surprised and disappointed that my bid had been rejected. In truth, it feels like I may have been led up the garden path.
“Since taking over Mansfield Town Football Club, I have invested £8million into the Stags. I would like to think that the improvements made both on and off the field have been there for all to see. An internationally branded hotel in align with my plans would have helped make the club self-sufficient, which adds further disappointment to the decision.
“I have made a firm commitment to our football club and will continue to invest in the Stags. I also have a real desire and determination to help our Town prosper. I was born and raised in the Town and my heart is in Mansfield. I want to help revitalise the Town and put something back into Mansfield whenever I can.
“It must be said though that it is the prerogative of Mansfield District Council to make a decision of this nature and I am sure they have their own reasons for choosing another bidder, which will no doubt be made known to the public in due course.
“I will now carefully consider whether it is in the interests of both the Town and the football club to advance initial proposals of building a hotel at One Call Stadium and will continue to update our supporters and the people of Mansfield if and when possible.”
