Preliminary works are set to begin in March on a hotel development at Welford Road Stadium – the home of Premiership Rugby club Leicester Tigers.

The £22m project will see the construction of a five-floor, 183 room hotel on a 1.7-acre plot adjacent to the stadium, replacing a space previously used as a car park.

As part of the club's strategy to create new revenue streams, the hotel will feature 3,300sq m of reception, lounge and dining areas, as well as a business centre, retail and lobby areas. Plans also include an outdoor fan zone in front of the stadium's main Holland & Barrett Stand.

Other hotel facilities include a health club, restaurant and fifth-floor 'sky bar' on top of an underground car park.

Property developer Marshalls Commercial Property Development – which has worked with consultants Pick Everard on the scheme – is set to break ground on 23 March 2022.

Leicester Tigers CEO Simon Cohen said the breaking of ground marks a huge step for the club, which first announced plans to develop the surrounding site in July 2017.

“This is an important project to add to the city centre’s facilities and to support the long-term vision around our stadium," Cohen said.

"It is exciting to be at the stage now where construction can begin and we look forward to working with everyone involved in the development.”