Go-ahead for Keswick Premier Inn

Developer Premcor is to progress its plans for a 71-bedroom hotel, with the Lake District National Parks Authority voting to delegate approval powers to officers.

Premcor’s project in Keswick forms part of a £20m three-pronged development push in and close to UK national parks by Premier Inn’s owner Whitbread, as the business looks to increase leisure stays at a time of significantly reduced business travel.

The other two locations are in Porthmadog, on the edge of the Snowdonia national park area, and in St David’s, Pembrokeshire, both of which have full consent.

Alex Flach, UK development director for Premier Inn, said: “Around half of all Premier Inn guests stayed with us on leisure breaks last year. It is an important part of our business and we are continually reviewing our network of hotels.

“We’re continuing to grow Premier Inn in popular leisure-focused locations where we don’t yet have a presence and are looking for opportunities in and around National Parks and in popular tourist destinations across the country.”

Premier Inn said that construction work is scheduled to start in Porthmadog before Christmas, with the Keswick project due to start on site in spring 2021.

Designed by The Harris Partnership, the £6m plans for Keswick came forward in summer, representing a redevelopment of a site formerly occupied by the Ravensfield care home on High Hill – the scheme was reworked following consultation on an earlier iteration proposed in February.

Premcor, headed by ex-Urban & Civic directors Rob Lane and Simon Hawkins, is also behind plans for a large hotel on Manchester’s Rochdale Road.