Hotel set for big change as convenience store plans are approved
A DERBY hotel will undergo major changes after plans were officially approved for part of it to become a new convenience shop.
Planners at Derby City Council have given the go-ahead which will allow the new owners of the Stuart Hotel, in London Road, to make the changes to its premises.
As revealed earlier this year, the plans will see the new shop replace existing function rooms, a bar and part of the kitchen facilities inside the 100-bedroom hotel.
A planning document submitted to the city council in March said: “These areas are no longer used to their full potential, and an alternative use is needed to ensure the continued profitability of the hotel operation.”
It added: “A convenience store of this size is primarily targeted at a local catchment area and will provide for ‘top up’ shopping needs - meeting day-to-day needs and supplementing a main food shop typically undertaken at a larger supermarket, or online.”
The company behind the plans is AG Derbyshire Ltd, which has recently purchased the hotel from previous owner Best Western Hotels for millions of pounds.
Rooms at the hotel are priced from around £70, and the venue is also available for weddings.
Derby City Council officially approved the plans on May 5.
A decision notice by the council states: “The proposed change of use of part of hotel to form a retail unit for a convenience store is considered to be acceptable in principle in this location and in terms of the impacts on amenity and the local highway network.
“The proposal would meet the retail policy tests in the Local Plan - Part 1 given it is on the edge of the city centre and on a main transport corridor on London Road.
“In dealing with this application the city council has worked with the applicant / agent in a positive and proactive manner.
“And, whilst no amendments to the scheme were necessary in this case, it has been determined in a positive fashion.”