Rose Bowl ruling appeal put forward (From This is Hampshire)

Rose Bowl ruling appeal put forward

8:19am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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THREE firms have appealed against a top judge’s decision to throw out their call for a judicial review into the Rose Bowl’s controversial £32.2m hotel.

Meridian Leisure, Shire Hotels and MacDonald Hotel are determined to fight on for an investigation into whether Eastleigh Borough Council should have used taxpayers money to fund the project.

Meridian Leisure boss, Moez Janmohamed, who owns a Holiday Inn next door to the Rose Bowl in West End said: “We are determined to see this through to the end. Every step we take along this path shows clearly how little work the council have done in assessing the risks and the market. They have just thrown some wild numbers around.

“It is sad when you think of all the other services the council could have paid for that would have benefited the taxpayer if it wasn’t so keen to get into the hotel business.

“We are even more convinced we are right now and confident as to the prospects of overturning the decision.”

Council leader Keith House insists the scheme will create jobs, bring in money and be a world class centre for sports and entertainment.

Rose Bowl boss Rod Bransgrove has always said the contract is “robust and would stand up to any scrutiny”.