Council clears path for ‘high-quality’ Blackpool hotel

Fragrance Group can press ahead with the redevelopment of a trio of dated hotels following approval from the local council, the first step in the delivery of a 157-bedroom new-build venue. 

The Singapore-based hotel developer is to demolish St Chads Hotel, Lyric Hotel, and Regency Apartments to pave the way for a “high quality” hotel.  

Planning officers concluded that any detrimental impact on the street scene through the demolition of the buildings would be “short-lived” and that the new hotel has the potential to become a “landmark building” on the site. 

Plans for the scheme, designed by Falconer Chester Hall, are expected to be submitted by the end of the quarter, according to planning documents prepared by consultancy Turley. 

Fragrance bought the 90-bedroom St Chads Hotel in 2018 for an undisclosed sum, its third acquisition in Blackpool. 

Architect Falconer Chester Hall, Geospatial Engineering Services, and Civil Remediation are on the professional team. 

Hydrock is also on the design team and providing various consultancy services including in acoustics, civil and structural engineering, MEP, fire, transport, and water environment. 

The St Chads Hotel has been in situ since 1893, with the other buildings being added in stages up to 1912. 

According to Turley, “the buildings are in a poor state of repair both structurally and cosmetically and, now vacant, are increasingly targeted by vandals and anti-social behaviour detracting from the character and appearance of the Promenade.”