LUXURY hotel chain Hilton is planning to create a multimillion pound new site in Exeter.

The Echo can reveal that a site near the city centre has been identified by the world- famous company as a potential location for a major new hotel development.

Talks have already taken place with the owner of lawnmower specialists Radmore & Tucker, who has indicated he is willing to sell the firm's prominent site in Frog Street, at the bottom of Western Way, if he can secure alternative premises.

John Tucker said he was contacted by an agent acting for Hilton several months ago.

Negotiations have progressed well, though a deal to sell the site — understood to be worth in the region of £2million — has yet to be concluded.

"They were keen to get it all done, but last I heard there were certain searches that hadn't been completed yet," said Mr Tucker.

"I'm hopeful that it will be concluded fairly soon."

Mr Tucker, whose parents started the business more than 50 years ago, is making plans to move to a new, purpose-built lawnmower and garden machinery showroom and repair centre at Peamore, near Alphington.

"Our customer base isn't really in the city anymore — it's all in the outskirts and with the traffic it's becoming more of a pain to get around," he said.

"We need access to the A30 and A38, because 70 per cent of our business is up the M5 or down in Cornwall.

"Hopefully within a year to 18 months we will be moving to a new purpose-built unit."

He added he believed knocking down his existing premises, near Exe Bridges, and building a new hotel on the site would "smarten up the area".

A Hilton Worldwide spokeswoman said: "Hilton Worldwide is in an exciting phase of growth and we are looking at many locations around the UK to introduce various brands from our Hilton portfolio.

"Exeter is a destination which has attracted our interest and we are in discussions regarding a site in the town, though nothing has been confirmed at this early stage."

The company has not indicated which of its brands it is considering bringing to Exeter.

As well as the world famous Hilton and Waldorf Astoria chains, the group's portfolio includes Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton, Double Tree and Conrad hotels.

Derek Phillips, chairman of Exeter Chamber of Commerce, said: "The chamber would definitely welcome them. Being an international company it would help to put Exeter on the map and attract more overseas tourists, because of the global advertising that these bigger organisations are able to do to promote all the hotels in their group. We still believe that we need some extra hotel bedrooms in Exeter, so it could be very advantageous."

News of Hilton's interest in the city comes as three other hotel developments are planned or in progress, while Hotel Barcelona is still closed for its delayed refurbishment and not expected to reopen before next year. A new 160-bedroom, four star hotel is due to be built alongside Flybe's new training academy at Exeter Airport, and developer Devon Lifestyles is preparing to convert the former hospital building Dean Clarke House in Southernhay and the adjoining Victoria wing into a luxury 51-bedroom hotel.

And a new 102-bedroom hotel is currently being built on the former Saab garage site in Bonhay Road.

Julien Wilkinson, general manager at Abode Exeter and chairman of the Exeter and Heart of Devon Hotels Association, questioned whether the city could support another new hotel.

"It's great to be recognised by someone as prestigious as the Hilton group and it could prove a big pull for Exeter and Devon, but until the economy improves I think it would be difficult to add another 100 to 150 bedrooms," he said.

"If Exeter doesn't attract enough extra business it will become a battle of rates."