Exciting new plans could see a well-respected national hotel chain come to Alnwick.
Consultation has begun on a proposed planning application from Northumberland Estates, acting on behalf of Northern Commercial Properties Ltd, which seeks to bring a new Premier Inn hotel to the town. The site earmarked for the development is on part of the Willowburn Trading Estate, off South Road.
If planning permission is granted, the new hotel would provide 83 bedrooms on three levels with an in-house bar/restaurant and parking for 84 cars. The existing vacant and redundant industrial buildings on the site will be demolished and cleared ready for development.
“Tourism data has, for many years, highlighted insufficient visitor accommodation in the town,” says Barry Spall, development planner with Northumberland Estates, “We are therefore delighted to have a well-established, popular and high-quality operator such as Premier Inn prepared to commit to this scheme in Alnwick.
“Premier Inn is consistently voted the UK’s favourite hotel brand, offering great service, value for money and consistency for leisure and business guests. We believe this is a good size of operation for Alnwick and one which will help broaden the choice, price range and type of accommodation available for visitors to the town.”
Premier Inn is expecting to create 30 new permanent roles at its Alnwick hotel. All the new jobs will be permanent positions and Whitbread, Premier Inn’s parent company, will focus recruitment in Alnwick and the surrounding area. The new team members will also have access to Whitbread’s structured training and development opportunities.
Stuart Rose, Acquisition Manager at Premier Inn, added:
“Premier Inn hotels in market towns like Alnwick do very well. The hotels attract a high number of business and leisure guests throughout the year and enjoy an above average occupancy rate. We are confident we will trade well in Alnwick and Premier Inn’s style of flexible accommodation, and successful marketing channels, will increase the choice for visitors wishing to stay in the town and help to market it to people who may not currently visit.”
Consultation with local businesses and residents on plans for a new Premier Inn in Alnwick has already begun. Anyone wishing to submit comments on the proposal can do so by email to suzanne.bell@northumberlandestates.co.uk
The deadline for comments is Friday 30 August 2019, although there will be further opportunities to comment throughout the planning application process via Northumberland County Council.
The nearest Premier Inn hotels to Alnwick are in Ashington (20 miles) and Newcastle Gosforth (30 miles) to the south of the town. Whitbread is also building a new 60-bedroom Premier Inn hotel in Berwick-Upon-Tweed town centre which is due to open before Christmas.
To view the site plan click here
Artists impressions of the proposed designs are available below but remain subject to approval.
Elevation
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
Roof
