PREMIER UPGRADE
New hotel plan for ‘eyesore’ site
Plans to demolish a derelict Hamilton town centre building to make way for a £7million hotel have been lodged.
South Lanarkshire Council received a planning application which could see the old Hamilton Town Hotel being flattened and a Premier Inn built on the site.
If given the green light, the 96-bedroom hotel on Townhead Street would create around 60 jobs for the area.
Nick Johnston, acquisition manager for Premier Inn, said: “The contemporary design and strategic location will create a sense of ‘entry’ into Hamilton.
“The fullheight glazed frontage of the Beefeater restaurant will also create a lively, animated frontage on to Townhead Street.” Hamilton Town Hotel has lain derelict for more than a decade and has been subjected to vandalism and graffiti over the years.
It has also been branded an ‘eyesore’ by residents and shoppers.
Ambitious plans were revealed this week to demolish a town centre “eyesore” to make way for a £7m hotel.
Premier Inn have lodged plans with South Lanarkshire Council to flatten the derelict Hamilton Town Hotel, with a view to building a 96-bedroom hotel and Beefeater restaurant on the Townhead Street site.
The plan also includes a third party restaurant which would be developed as a shell unit until a tenant has been found.
It is hoped, if the development gets the go-ahead, that the hotel will bring around 60 jobs to the area.
Nick Johnston, acquisition manager for the north west, Scotland and Wales at Premier Inn, said: “Our development partner has recently submitted a planning application to South Lanarkshire Council for a brand new 96-bedroom Premier Inn hotel and Beefeater restaurant on the site of the former Hamilton Town Hotel on Townhead Street.
“The proposal seeks detailed planning permission to clear the currently derelict site and create a striking new hotel and restaurant building.
“The contemporary design and strategic location will create a sense of ‘entry’ into Hamilton. The fullheight glazed frontage of the Beefeater restaurant will also create a lively, animated frontage onto Townhead Street.
“Whitbread, Premier Inn’s parent company, is investing more than £7 million in the new Premier Inn and Beefeater. We also anticipate more than 60 new jobs will be created on opening, with recruitment focused within South Lanarkshire. As you can expect, we are extremely excited about this application. We hope the council supports our ambitions for the site and the opportunities we will bring to the town.”
Hamilton Town Hotel has lain derelict for more than a decade, and has been subjected to graffiti and vandalism over the years.
Shopkeepers and visitors to the area have branded the C-listed building an “eyesore”.
Gareth Walker of Hamilton Business Improvement District welcomed the announcement.
He said: “This is a real vote of confidence in the future of Hamilton from two successful national brands. We are delighted to see the development of such an important site in the town, and feel confident that this will act as a catalyst for further regeneration.
“The recently published Town Centre Strategy document gives a flavour and indication of the types of possibilities that will exist for our town.”
Pauline Elliott, head of planning and economic development at the council, said: “The application is currently being processed and will be dealt with in the usual manner. However, it is too early to say at this stage when the application will be presented at committee.”
We are extremely excited about this application
Nick Johnston