Work has started on a new £5 million hotel development in the Black Country which will create more than 100 new jobs.

Travelodge is building a 78-bed hotel at Providence Place, in West Bromwich, which will transform the vacant site.

Bromsgrove-based contractor Hinton Group is leading the development on the brownfield site next to the head office of West Bromwich Building Society.

Director Andy Elwell said: “It’s exciting to see the Travelodge development in West Bromwich get under way, providing the town with a much-needed facility in a key location.

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“I am sure it will be a welcome addition to the regeneration of West Bromwich town centre and also a convenient hub in its prime location.

“We expect work to be completed in second quarter of 2017.”

The hotel will employ 25 full- and part-time staff when built while more than 80 jobs are being will be created during construction phase.

Sandwell Council leader Coun Steve Eling said: “This is great news for Sandwell.

“The Travelodge will create new jobs for local people, complement the adjacent office buildings and contribute to the ongoing regeneration of West Bromwich town centre.”

Travelodge’s UK development director Tony O’Brien added: “We are delighted to have secured such a prominent site in the heart of West Bromwich.

“The new Travelodge will form part of the recently opened Providence Place development, adjacent to West Bromwich Building Society’s new HQ and 50 metres from BT’s new regional business centre.

“There has been massive regeneration of West Bromwich’s town centre in the last few years, with millions of pounds having been invested in new retail, restaurant and entertainment facilities, the new college campus and leisure centre and lots of new flats and houses.”