Proposals revealed for Blackpool Winter Gardens hotel

Architect Bisset Adams has submitted a planning application for a five-storey, 203-bed hotel opposite Blackpool’s new £25m conference centre.

The outline proposals are for a 145,000 sq ft hotel, targeted at three or four-star operators, which will include 203 beds, a spa, café, bar, restaurant, and a car park on the lower ground floor. There will be 60 rooms on the first, second, and third floors, along with 23 rooms on the fourth floor.

Bisset Adams said there would be potential for additional leisure uses on the upper levels, depending on the requirements of the occupier.

The site fronting Adelaide Street and Leopold Grove is currently vacant, and is near the grade-two star listed Winter Gardens. A £25m conference centre is being built opposite the site of the proposed hotel by main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey, which has also been designed by Bisset Adams.

The architect said there was an “aspiration” to link the new hotel with the conference centre with the construction of a glazed pedestrian bridge between the two buildings.

The conference centre is already proposed to link directly with the Winter Gardens’ Empress Ballroom and Opera House.

Alongside Bisset Adams, the professional team also includes Tad Planning and transport consultant Mayer Brown.

The planner said: “The application is a positive step towards the regeneration of the site, in a key location on the edge of the town centre and adjacent to one of Blackpool’s most important heritage assets and leisure facilities, which is currently being upgraded and extended in accordance with recent planning consents.

“The scheme will provide good quality visitor accommodation and associated conference facilities, with retail and office floorspace, which will support the town centre and contribute to the local economy.”

A glazed bridge is proposed to link the hotel with the £25m conference centre