A planning application for the demolition of The Carlton Hotel in Sandown and the building of a brand new 100-bedroom Premier Inn hotel in its place has been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council this week.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the nationwide chain plan to open their third hotel on the Isle of Wight on Sandown Esplanade. It will be the largest Premier Inn on the Island boasting 100 bedrooms and will include a Brewers Fayre restaurant on the ground floor providing some 190 covers.
The once popular Carlton Hotel will be demolished ahead of the construction of the new, modern and stylish hotel in its place. The now-empty Carlton closed its doors at the tail end of last year after more than 34 years as a family-run coaching hotel.
The development will mark a £9million investment into the area and 65 permanent, year-round jobs will be created.
As well as providing on-site food and drink for guests, Brewer’s Fayre will be open to the public and will be Sandown’s first branded restaurant. The nearest Brewer’s Fayre is currently in Southsea.
Premier Inn already operate hotels in Newport and Lake, the latter of which opened at the beginning of this year.
Derek Griffin, Head of Acquisitions for Premier Inn (London & South), has told Island Echo:
“Submitting this application is another step closer towards investing in and regenerating the former Carlton Hotel site.
“Our plans bring with them the opportunity for a brand new 100 bedroom Premier Inn and a Brewers Fayre family restaurant, 65 permanent new year-round jobs and £9 million of direct investment.
“We’re excited about the potential to be part of reinvigorating this important site on Sandown’s seafront and, subject to planning permission being granted, we’re keen to get started breathing new life into the old Carlton Hotel site.”
Should planning permission be approved, it is hoped that demolition work can begin in early 2017. The Isle of Wight Council has, in principle, indicated support for the replacement of the existing hotel.
Last year Visit Isle of Wight’s CEO, David Thornton said that it was “excellent to see positive progress and big ideas”.
