Friday 23 September 2011

FORT ROAD HOTEL TO RETURN TO ORIGINAL USE

An eyesore property along Margate seafront, and one of the few recognisable from Turner’s day, has been given the go-ahead as a hotel.

A planning application to change the use of the Fort Road Hotel from bedsits back to a hotel was agreed on Wednesday night (21 September) by the council’s Planning Committee.

Last night (Thursday 22 September), Cabinet Members also agreed that the council should continue to seek a developer that is both willing and able to deliver a high quality boutique hotel.

At present, the council is asking for expressions of interest in the historic site, which was compulsorily purchased by Thanet District Council in December 2010. The project is now being promoted by Margate Arts, Creativity, Heritage – a partnership between Thanet District Council, English Heritage and the Arts Council.

Over the last six months, the site has seen the installation of a neon artwork, Iconic Site, while architecture students from the University of Kent have looked at how the property could be refurbished. Through this work, and word of mouth, more than 20 enquiries have already been received about the site. This has included a good mix of enquiries from existing hotel owners, developers and architectural practices.

Leader of the Council, Cllr. Bob Bayford, said: “It’s extremely encouraging to see the level of interest in this historic seafront site. The council has been keeping its options open on the Fort Road Hotel and we did look at demolition, but we’d much prefer to see it being brought back into use as a boutique hotel. Now, with planning approval given, that’s already one step closer to happening. The interest we’ve had to date appears to be serious and we hope to see that being translated into work on the site over the next few months.”

Adverts for expressions of interest in the site have already been published and questionnaires must be returned by Monday 3 October. They can be obtained by contacting Grant Burton on 01843 577612 or by e-mailing grant.burton@thanet.gov.uk

1 comment:

  1. Can you tell us what a "boutique hotel" is, Cllr. B? Other than a silly piece of jargon, of course.

    ReplyDelete

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