Blackpool plans for Indigo Hotel resubmitted to council
Fresh plans for the restoration of Blackpool’s former Abingdon Street Post Office and its transformation into a boutique hotel have been submitted to the council.
Developer Ashall Projects remains on board with the £26m scheme to convert the building, which has been empty for 15 years, into a 144-room hotel.
Full planning permission was granted in November 2021 but development has stalled after a bid for government funding towards the scheme failed.
However a new bid was made to the Levelling Up fund in August this year, including £8m towards the hotel, with the council awaiting the outcome.
Documents submitted with the latest application say: “The current application has been developed to accommodate changes in the market and current demand.
“The scheme presents a number of small amendments to the previously approved scheme.”
The latest application is for construction of a four and five storey link extension with roof top terraces between the former Post Office and sorting office, a three storey rear extension to the former Post Office and internal and external alterations to both buildings.
Also proposed are terraced areas in the courtyard following the demolition of the existing fourth floor roof extension to the former sorting office.
A number of other redundant structures in the courtyard will also be demolished, with detailed demolition schedules included in the latest submission.
Ashall Projects, which has a track record of successfully redeveloping historic buildings, aims to restore many of the key elements including the Abingdon Street frontage.
Documents add: “The existing facades of the two buildings offer a unique opportunity to provide a quality hotel development for the town of Blackpool.
“The Grade II Listed facade of the former Post Office has a great street presence and is ideal for a food and beverage offering and hotel front of houseaccommodation.
” The Portland Stone frontage is in good condition and would only require minor remedial works. The Grade II Listed telephone kiosks also add character to the street scene.”
If the project goes ahead, it is proposed to include it within the global Hotel Indigo and Indigo Suites brand.
The Post Office closed in 2007, with the sorting office moving to a new site in Bispham in 2015.