Northumberland development company Arch has received planning permission for a £4.5 million hotel at its Commissioners Quay development in Blyth, the New Post Leader reports.
To be known as the Commissioners Quay Inn, the hotel will comprise 40 bedrooms across three floors with a ground floor bar and restaurant space for up to 265 diners. The developer has already secured hospitality and leisure specialist the Inn Collection Group (ICG) to operate the property, which is due to open in time for the Tall Ships event next year.
Chief executive of ICG, Keith Liddell, believes that local businesses will benefit from the greater availability of hotel space in Blyth for visitors.
He continues; “The Commissioners Quay Inn will be a great addition to our portfolio and the jewel in the crown of Blyth’s harbour regeneration.
“There is a real shortage of accommodation of this nature in Blyth and The Commissioners Quay Inn will fulfil this current gap in the market.
“In both the short and long term, the new development will give a boost to Blyth’s economy, both from the jobs created during construction and the 35 permanent, full time positions the inn will generate.”
The construction of the Commissioners Quay Inn will form the second phase of the development by Arch, all of which has been funded by the firm. Work is scheduled to begin later this month after the firm enlisted local firm Bowmer and Kirkland Limited as the primary contractor for the project.
As with many developments of this kind seen in recent years, sustainability and environmental factors will play a part at the Commissioners Quay Inn, with much of the hot water supplied by ground source heat pumps. Furthermore, the exterior of the building will be constructed using high quality redbrick with elements of timber, reinforcing both the legacy of Commissioners Quay and Blyth’s reputation as an alternative energy pioneer.
Chairman of Arch and deputy leader of Northumberland County Council, Councillor Dave Ledger, believes that the introduction of a new build hotel at Commissioners Quay will help to boost the local economy significantly.
He says; “We are excited to be working with a leisure operator of the ICG’s calibre to provide Blyth with much-needed new accommodation provision in a prime regeneration location.
“The development of The Commissioners Quay Inn is in keeping with Northumberland County Council’s investment programme in Blyth to boost the area’s economic and tourism capacity – as well as creating jobs, visitors bring vital added spend into the local economy, so this announcement is good news all around.
“The Commissioners Quay Inn is scheduled to open in spring 2016 and we anticipate the inn will be a hugely popular place for people to stay when the Tall Ships arrive in Blyth next August.”
