The owners of a Yarmouth pub have applied to the Isle of Wight Council for permission to install high quality bed and breakfast accommodation.
Character Inns IOW Limited is seeking to transform The Kings Head’s 7x first floor bedrooms and 1 shared bathroom into 5 guest suites.
Plans include 4x double en-suite bedrooms and 1x family suite with 3 sleeping areas and a bathroom.
The pub’s loft, currently used for storage, would house 2 of the family sleeping spaces.
In a statement prepared on behalf of Character Inns, the Andrew White Planning Consultancy said:
“Given the challenging nature of the hospitality industry, particularly in light of operational costs and seasonal constraints, it becomes ever more important to explore diversification opportunities.
“The same management team have seen the benefits of providing guest accommodation at their other establishments across the Island and have spotted an opportunity at The Kings Head.
“Given the availability of space above the pub, currently used as occasional staff accommodation, coupled with the popularity of Yarmouth and the proximity to cross-Solent travel (Wightlink ferry), the applicants have identified an opportunity of providing five high-quality guest suites including a larger multiroom family suite”.
Article continues below this advertisement
The Kings Head is located within the Yarmouth Conservation Area, a zone in which property alteration and development controls apply to preserve its appearance and character.
As a Grade II listed building, the pub itself is seen as having special architectural or historic interest.
According to historic environment public body Historic England, the building dates back to the 17th century but was altered in the 19th century.
Further justifications provided by Character Inns’s application include jobs created for local people, greater revenues to keep the pub financially viable and its claim that proposed works will not have ‘any significant impact’ on the building’s historic ‘character, fabric or structure’.
A public consultation on the application will close on 29th November and a statutory decision is expected on 19th December.
