A HOTEL looks set to be next on the cards for Blackpool’s £220m Talbot Gateway.
Developers have confirmed they will be speaking to potential operators within the next few months with a view to submitting a planning application before the end of the year.
The hotel is earmarked for land currently occupied by a surface level car park on Deansgate.
Work is now underway on the four elements of the first phase of the gateway - new council offices, a Sainsbury’s supermarket, highway and public realm, and the refurbishment of the Talbot Road multi-storey car park.
Muse Regional director Mike Horner said: “Further phases will follow including a proposed hotel, further office buildings and work around the train station in conjunction with Network Rail.
“We would also look to speak to Wilkinson’s about proposals for their building.
“We are developing the plans in detail for a second phase which would include a hotel and we will be discussing these plans with potential operators over the next few months, with a view to selecting a preferred operator before the end of this year.
“We are looking at a planning application for the hotel which will probably be submitted in the autumn.”
Mr Horner said he hoped to see a multi-storey hotel developed but any proposals would depend on the number of bedrooms any chosen operator required.
The original planning application for the whole scheme outlined proposals for a five-storey, 130-bed hotel on Deansgate.
The former St John’s Market on the Deansgate site was demolished more than 10 years ago, after the number of stalls declined and it became too expensive for the council to operate the building.
Since then the land has been used as a car park.
The whole gateway scheme will be built in phases over the next 10 to 15 years.
It includes proposals for further hotels, office space and retail.
Sainsbury’s anticipates opening its store next summer, creating up to 350 new jobs.
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