Plans for a new Premier Inn hotel in Lancaster have taken a step forward.
The 110-bedroom Premier Inn is earmarked for the corner of Edward Street and Moor Lane in the Canal Quarter of the city, subject to planning permission.
Owners Whitbread PLC have announced the signing of a lease between themselves and Maple Grove Developments - the commercial development arm of Lancashire-based Eric Wright Group.
They propose to develop the derelict vacant site into a latest format Premier Inn.
Whitbread currently operates an 81-bedroom Premier Inn on Caton Road on the edge of the city.
They said that high levels of customer demand across Premier Inn’s existing estate, as well as expanding visitor numbers across Lancashire and Cumbria, are driving the company’s commitment to a second Lancaster hotel.
Photo credit: CGI of the proposed hotel courtesy of Maple Grove Developments
“This agreement is a significant milestone for both Lancaster and Whitbread’s expansion in the North West," said Jill Anderson, Acquisition Manager for Whitbread.
"We have long targeted the city centre as a priority location, and this new Premier Inn will deliver attractive financial returns and meet clear demand for high-quality, affordable accommodation.
“In partnership with Maple Grove Developments, we’re unlocking a key regeneration site and bringing it back into productive, long-term use – creating permanent hospitality jobs, supporting local businesses and driving new economic activity.
"We’re pleased to be moving forward with a development that will deliver lasting benefits for Lancaster.”
Whitbread said that, based on latest published figures of the average year-round occupancy of Premier Inn hotels, around 45,000 guests are anticipated to stay at the 110-bedroom hotel on maturity every year, with the vast majority expected visit the city centre for food and drink, leisure experiences and business visits.
“Getting the development to this stage has involved foresight, determination and the hard work of many committed people, including officers and elected representatives at Lancaster City Council," said James Scott, Managing Director of Maple Grove Developments.
“Signing the agreement for lease with Whitbread brings certainty to the change we are seeking to deliver at the Canal Quarter, ultimately transforming a collection of derelict industrial buildings into a high-quality hotel that will bring many lasting benefits to Lancaster and the surrounding area.
“It’s a development I’m proud to be a part of and I’m looking forward to moving it to the next stage – submitting our planning application shortly.”
Councillor Peter Jackson, cabinet member with responsibility for Lancaster regeneration and local economy, said: “Proposals such as this represent a huge vote of confidence in Lancaster and the opportunities that exist for investment and regeneration.
Councillor Peter Jackson
“The Canal Quarter Masterplan sets out an ambitious long-term vision to transform this part of the city into a vibrant destination where people can live, work, visit and spend time.
“Continued interest from developers and investors is an important step towards bringing that vision to life and unlocking the potential of one of our most important regeneration areas.”
A palette of light and dark brick, stone tiles and a slate roof is proposed, in reference to the character of the former industrial area.
Whitbread said their commitment to a new leasehold hotel in Lancaster City Centre is part of a programme of targeted investment across the north-west of England.
Should planning permission be granted, the city centre hotel is anticipated to take 18-months to build, and Whitbread expects to create around 30 permanent job opportunities on opening.
The hotel entrance and ground-floor restaurant area is proposed to face into both a new public area and Edward Street.
The site is close to land earmarked for a separate £85m regeneration development in the Brewery Lane area by developers Lanmara Developments, that will transform the Canal Quarter if planning permission is granted.
Another 132-bedroom hotel, as well as a restaurant, is planned as part of their proposals, alongside a multi-storey car park, music venue and food hall, medical centre, residential and/or student accommodation, new public spaces, and more.
Read more: PHOTOS: Plans go in for major Lancaster regeneration scheme - Beyond Radio
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