Premier Inn almost complete
AN UGLY EYESORE? OR BOOST TO THE ECONOMY?
WORK on a new Premier Inn in Whitley Bay is nearing completion – but the building’s design has split opinion.
The hotel has been constructed near the iconic Spanish City Dome and is expected to be complete in June.
When it opens, it will create 69 full and part-time jobs, and will include a restaurant and bar.
However, as the building has taken shape, people have been airing their views about it on social media.
Some have described it as a “monstrosity”, an “eyesore” and looking like a “prison block”, while others have given it the thumbs up and have said it would help to bring in more visitors and boost the town’s economy.
Planning permission for the site was approved by North Tyneside Council last February.
During that hearing, it was said the scheme had attracted objections from residents who felt the hotel’s design was out of character. The proposal was described as “generic, ugly and dull” and some felt the hotel should have a white colour.
However the architects explained the project involved seven months of extensive pre-application discussions, and the materials had been chosen to reflect the surroundings.
The Tyne and Wear Historic Buildings Officer had advised that the Dome should remain as the only white rendered building in the area and noted that the general character of this part of Whitley Bay was made up of houses built from red brick.
And planning officers said the design was considered acceptable and felt the hotel would help to improve tourism and the local economy.
The project was approved – 11 councillors voted in favour while three were against it.
Construction work then began in June last year.
Meanwhile, the Grade II-listed Dome has also been under renovation. Once work is complete, commercial operator Kymel Trading Ltd will take over the running of the venue, which will include a family-friendly seafood restaurant, tea room, champagne and oyster bar, wedding and conferencing facilities, an ice cream parlour and fish and chip takeaway.