Expansion plotted for Preston hotel

The owner of Garstang Road venue Barton Manor intends to double its accommodation with 50 new guest rooms in a project adding four blocks to the building’s footprint.

Applicant Double Dutch Hotels is working with Liverpool architect Constructive Thinking Studio on the 21,000 sq ft expansion project, which would see the addition of a new entrance/lobby block with associated suites at mezzanine level; a glazed link to new accommodation; and landscaping.

Formerly known as Barton Grange, the hotel – now part of Best Western’s Signature Collection – is described as a popular venue for weddings and conferences. The space where the new blocks will be built was formerly occupied by a garden centre, with the extension effectively turning the hotel building into an L-shape.

Constructive Thinking’s design & access statement described the project as “undoubtedly ambitious” and said it could be “pivotal in securing the successful future operations of the hotel”. A hotel of some kind has been operational at the site since the 1950s.

Four new three-storey blocks are proposed: firstly, an entrance building opening into the existing lobby area and existing lift and stairs area;  this will have a breakfast area and space for small events at first floor level, and two suites with terraces at second floor level.

The glazed link to the three other cubes will also serve as a seating area for guests for drinks, lunch or business meetings. The three accommodation cubes are each intended at this stage to include 12 standard rooms across ground and first floor, and four large family suites at the top level.

Professional advisers on the project inlude Focus Transport Planning, Arbtech Consulting, LK Consult and HL Structural Engineers.