Youth hostel is tops

The first Youth Hostel to be built in The National Forest was ‘topped out’ recently, marking a significant stage in the construction of this innovative, environmentally-friendly building.

The 75-bed Youth Hostel will open later this summer, and is expected to accommodate around 15,000 guest nights a year. For individuals and groups who appreciate a low-carbon impact holiday and want full value out of their holiday spend, YHA National Forest will be exactly what they need, enabling them to stay longer and see more.

Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive National Forest Company said: "This exciting new building is a great development for tourism in The National Forest. It's going to be a brilliant facility for families, young people and groups on a budget to get into the Forest and enjoy all the activities on offer here. There are so many things to do in the Forest and staying overnight means people can enjoy a great break with a good carbon footprint."

Kishor Tailor, Chief Executive of Leicester Shire Economic Partnership (LSEP), performed the symbolic ‘topping out’ ceremony. He said: "This event was a significant milestone in establishing the new Youth Hostel in The National Forest and LSEP is delighted at the progress being made on site. LSEP invested in the Youth Hostel because of the long term benefits it will have on the economy of Leicester Shire and we will soon benefit from an increasing number of visitors to The National Forest in particular."

Leicester Shire Economic Partnership and emda, the regional development agency for the East Midlands, are the major funders of this £1.78 m project which will bring substantial benefits to the tourism economy of The National Forest.

The hostel, which is being built by G F Tomlinson Building Ltd of Derby, includes a number of ‘green’ features including renewable wood fuel energy, solar heating and rainwater gathering.

As part of the wider development around Conkers, visitors to the hostel will be able to enjoy the Discovery Centre at the Heart of The National Forest. With easy access to walking and cycling trails; the chance to try other forestry activities such as woodland crafts, orienteering and shelter building with Greenwood Days or at Rosliston Forestry Centre; shopping nearby at Ashby de la Zouch or Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts; and stately homes and gardens to enjoy, there will be plenty to keep everyone entertained in and around the Forest, come rain or shine.

The associated camping and caravanning site marks a major investment by The Camping and Caravanning Club, the first all new site to be created by the Club for nine years. Conkers is the first Club Site in South Derbyshire and will be open all year, allowing campers and caravanners to contribute directly to the local economy throughout the seasons.

For further information visit:

Nationalforest.org
Emda.org.uk
lsep.co.uk
Yha.org.uk
Campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk