North Tyneside Council’s Planning Committee has approved plans for a new Premier Inn hotel in Whitley Bay.
The 68-bedroom seafront hotel will include a restaurant, bar and car park, and create 69 new full- and part-time jobs when it is complete.
It will be built next to Spanish City Dome and bring a currently vacant site back into use. Premier Inn worked with conservation officers from the council and Tyne and Wear Historic Buildings to ensure the hotel complements the architecture of the Grade II listed Dome, while making the most of the stunning seafront views offered by the site.
Premier Inn is expected to start construction works in late spring, with the new hotel scheduled to open in 2017.
Norma Redfearn, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Council, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Premier Inn to Whitley Bay.
“This fantastic project will bring new jobs into the borough, and is a sign of confidence in North Tyneside as a place to do business.
“Once Spanish City Dome is fully restored it will offer weddings, fine dining and events. The Premier Inn hotel will be the ideal place for guests to stay, and I am sure it will help to attract more visitors to our beautiful coastline.
“The hotel is a key part of our Seafront Master Plan and local people will be as excited as I am to see the next step in the regeneration of Whitley Bay take place.”
Kevin Murray, Head of Acquisitions (North) for Premier Inn, said: “We are delighted our new Whitley Bay Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre restaurant have been granted planning permission.
“Whitley Bay is a fantastic location and, as well as attracting new visitors to the area, the hotel and restaurant will create new year-round jobs for the local economy and deliver fresh investment. We look forward to working with our development partner and opening our doors to the public in early 2017.”
Premier Inn is also expanding its hotel at Royal Quays due to an increase in visitors coming into the North East by ferry.
ENDS
North Tyneside Council’s Seafront Master Plan sets out plans to reinvigorate the area between St Mary’s Lighthouse and Cullercoats Bay. It includes a range of council and private sector developments and £36million of investment at the coast.
In November 2015, the council selected Kymel Trading Ltd to manage and run the Grade II Spanish City Dome. Once complete, it will feature shops and cafes, a wedding, function and conferencing centre, dining facilities, and community space.
In late 2015, North Tyneside Council submitted a Stage Two bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration of Spanish City Dome. Subject to approval, work is expected to start in early summer 2016 and take 12-15 months to complete.