Sandown seafront is set to see its new Premier Inn taking shape within a matter of weeks with construction of the new 100-bedroom hotel programmed to start in June.
Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn, has confirmed it will be investing a total of £10million into building the new hotel. The hotel and embedded Brewers Fayre restaurant are expected to be open in time for the main summer holiday season in 2019.
The scheme will see a major regeneration of the former Carlton Hotel site, creating a high-quality seafront hotel which is set to play a substantial part in Sandown’s business and leisure economy. The new hotel will create approximately 65 year-round jobs.
Geoff Cook, Senior Project and Programme Manager for Whitbread, said:
“In June, we’re moving from preparation into construction and this is a big moment for us and for the project.
“We can now focus on building an outstanding new hotel that will be an asset to the town and contribute to the attractiveness and facilities on Sandown’s seafront. We’ll be completing the construction work as quickly and effectively as we can and are looking forward to being open for the 2019 summer season.”
During the year-long construction programme, Premier Inn will be working as sympathetically as possible, keeping any potential disruption to a minimum. Road closures are expected at times.
Ahead of the construction work starting, Geoff Cook met with Sandown North councillor Debbie Andre for a site visit, to give an update and to explain in more detail how the work would be carried out.
Councillor Andre said:
“I’m delighted to hear such positive news about how this project is going ahead, directly from the team who are going to be involved.
“Despite encountering some unexpected problems, which I’m assured are to be rectified shortly, Premier Inn are showing their continued confidence in Sandown as a prime tourist destination and are remaining committed to the project which will be a key part of the regeneration programme for our town. They have shown understanding in their willingness to minimise the disruption during the height of the summer season for this year and are keen to work with us.”
She went on to say:
“A new hotel of a well-known and popular brand such as Premier Inn will, no doubt, boost confidence amongst potential investors who are looking at other key development sites in our town. I believe that this will, in turn, lead to a boost in the economy of Sandown, with it becoming one of the premier island destinations of choice, not only for visitors, but also for local businesses and residents.”
Premier Inn was granted planning permission for the scheme in late 2016. Demolition of the former Carlton Hotel took place in 2017 and early 2018, paving the way for construction of the new hotel to start this June.
