THE first fully integrated hotel stadium in the UK is on schedule to open in the North West.

The De Vere Group Plc and Burnden Leisure, the parent holding company of Bolton Wanderers FC, have set up a joint venture to develop the £12 million De Vere Whites Hotel at the Reebok Stadium.

The Reebok already incorporates conference and banqueting, as well as the purpose-built Middlebrook Exhibition Centre.

The hotel, with 125-bedrooms, will officially open in October 30.

Paul Dermody, chief executive of the De Vere Group Plc, said: "This hotel will have a real 'wow' factor.

"It is the first fully integrated, high quality stadium hotel in the UK, but it certainly won't be the last.

"The design, the features and the rooms overlooking the pitch will be breathtaking.

"We will be providing high quality accommodation, conference, banqueting and restaurant facilities, for business and leisure users, to rival any in the North West.

"People talk about the risks of building this hotel, but the risks are far smaller than many of the new developments we get involved in.

"The Reebok is very well known, the conference and exhibition spaces are second to none and the trade already exists.

"The infrastructure, access, communications and profile are excellent so compare that to a greenfield site with no income, no identity and no profile and you can see why we are so confident.

"Everyone will know where this hotel is and how to find it".

The De Vere Group plc's portfolio currently comprises of 19 De Vere Hotels, including the recently acquired Carden Park and St David's Park Hotels near Chester, 12 Village Leisure Hotels and the expanding group of Greens Health and Fitness Clubs.

The 13th Village Leisure Hotel, Village Bury, is now under construction on the Waterfold Business Park, Heywood.

The £12 million hotel will create 180 full and part-time jobs.