UK: Blackpool hotelier Tony Banks has lodged plans to transform an empty building on Coronation Street into an aparthotel.
Banks, who operates five hotels in the resort as part of his Blackpool Promotions Group, wants to convert the building, which was used for 38 years by the Langley Dance Centre until it moved to new premises.
He has submitted a planning application to Blackpool Council seeking permission to convert the property into nine serviced hotel suites whose guests would be able to use facilities at the recently renovated Ruskin Hotel on Albert Road.
It is hoped to open the development, which would also include a restaurant on the ground floor, in March 2020 if permission is granted.
The scheme includes three two-bedroom apartments, four one-bedroom and two studios with a private entrance. It would be managed by staff at the Royal Ruskin Hotel where occupancy levels are said to be running at 90 per cent since its refurbishment.
In a letter accompanying the application Banks said: “We have identified a growing need for quality accommodation in this sector and, with the planned opening of the new conference centre at the Winter Gardens, we feel the location of these suites will be perfect to help fulfil the requirements of attending delegates. We purchased the empty building as we feel Coronation Street is a main thoroughfare into the town centre and to the Winter Gardens. For many years this street has suffered from a severe lack of investment from both public and private investment.”</p
