Premier Inn have confirmed their commitment to opening a new 100-bed hotel in Sandown by revealing that demolition of the former Carlton Hotel will begin in October.
Rumours have been circulating in the community that the national chain had pulled out of a deal to purchase and develop the site at Sandown Esplanade. However, it has been confirmed to Island Echo that Premier Inn are 100% committed to opening their third hotel on the Island by mid-2019.
It was hoped that work to demolish the existing building would start around about now, however with road closures required to allow for a safe demolition the project has been pushed back until after the Summer season.
Geoff Cook, Senior Project and Programme Manager at Whitbread Property said:
“With planning permission secured for a new Premier Inn on Sandown seafront we are very much in the business of getting ready to invest into the town and start development as soon as possible.
“Our programme will see initial demolition of the former Carlton Hotel starting in the Autumn because we do not want to have any impact on this summer’s high season. So we’re gearing up to appoint contractors over the summer who will then start the site clearance and preparation in October. Once the old hotel has been removed and the site made ready, we can get on with construction of the brand new Premier Inn. This involves investment of more than £9m and creating 65 year-round jobs.
“We want to play our part in supporting investment across the town and adding a great new Premier Inn in this excellent seaside location. We’re looking forward to getting started and targeting to have the hotel open mid 2019.”
As exclusively revealed by Island Echo in December 2015, the former Carlton Hotel is to be knocked down to make way for a brand new Premier Inn hotel with Brewers Fayre restaurant. Planning permission was granted in November last year.
