The NEC Group has been granted permission to develop a new glamping site on its Solihull campus. The proposal entails the construction of 59 pods to accommodate up to 236 guests on unused land with a view of Pendigo Lake, directly across from the Resorts World complex.
Construction is set to commence in the coming months, with the aim of completing the project by the end of 2024. Guests will be provided with a new app for keyless entry and will have access to a communal area, woodland, and a complimentary golf buggy for transportation around the resort.
The Solihull campus is presently home to the National Exhibition Centre and Resorts World Arena, both managed by the NEC Group, as well as the Resorts World shopping and leisure complex, Bear Grylls Adventure attraction, and various hotels. This recent development is part of a larger initiative called the NEC Masterplan, envisioned in collaboration with Birmingham City Council in 2018, with potential to create 10,000 employment opportunities.
The NEC Group has expressed its intention to revitalize around 185 acres of land to incorporate new residential properties and 3.4 million square feet of floor space. Furthermore, the company has unveiled plans for a new urban village spanning 67 acres of unused land and car parks to the north of the campus. This village is projected to include 5,000 homes, commercial and outdoor event space, and create 3,500 jobs while accommodating upto 11,000 residents. In addition, a charging station for electric vehicles was opened last year with 180 plug-in spots.
The region is poised for further development with the forthcoming HS2 high-speed train, which will see the construction of a new station in close proximity, with a dedicated train service transporting passengers from there to the NEC and the airport.
Andy Cole, responsible for managing buildings and partnerships at the NEC, stated, “We are constantly striving to expand the boundaries in diversifying the campus’s use to support our core exhibition and arena business.”
“Our newest addition perfectly complements our aspirations to establish a competitive 24/7 destination for work, leisure, living, and entertainment, enhancing the existing destination offerings.”
The NEC Group is partnering with AvantGlamp, a company specialized in luxurious camping sites, on this venture.
Calum MacLeod, the owner of AvantGlamp, commented, “We are incredibly proud to introduce our latest venture in the glamping industry with our stunning new site at the NEC. Having a presence in the Midlands is an excellent fit for us, and this truly is the perfect destination.”
“Being situated in the heart of the country, along with having numerous leisure and entertainment options at your fingertips, makes it an ideal place to stay. Following the launch of our first glamping site in the Highlands in 2019, our business has enjoyed significant growth, and we are thrilled to unveil the largest destination of its kind in the UK.”