Holiday Inn struggles to find tenant

The recently completed downtown Holiday Inn Express and Suites is having troubles finding a tenant to fill part of its bottom level. Originally, the plans were for that space to be used by a full-service restaurant.
After struggling to find a restaurant to fill part of the bottom level of their new hotel at 67 Simcoe Street North, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites is asking the city for a slight change to their agreement.
In a letter to the city, Abdul Rehman, the president of Chayell Hospitality Group, requests a “change of use” for the hotel’s lower level, originally slated for a full-service restaurant.
“All of the restaurants that have been approached already have a location in Oshawa or are not interested in expanding into the market at this time,” the letter reads.
The city’s development services committee referred the item to staff for a further report.