Eyesore Blackpool hotel set for six figure investment

The refurbishment of a derelict hotel in Blackpool's holiday heartland has got the go ahead from town hall planners.
The derelict Grosvenor HotelThe derelict Grosvenor Hotel
The derelict Grosvenor Hotel

The refurbishment of a derelict hotel in Blackpool's holiday heartland has got the go ahead from town hall planners.

Investment will see the rundown Grosvenor Hotel on Albert Road brought back into use after the property was closed for several years.

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Businessman Tony Banks, of Blackpool Promotions, has been granted permission to build a new ground floor frontage which will match the neighbouring Ruskin Hotel which he also owns.

Approval was also given for a two to three-storey rear extension which will also be used in conjunction with the Ruskin.

The scheme will see both hotels operate jointly, offering more than 90 bedrooms between them, with part of the basement earmarked for spa and leisure facilities.

There will also be a large ground floor bar with a stage and dance floor.

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Some objections to the application were received, raising concerns about noise from the function room and disruption during construction.

But planners said a sound-proofing system would be demanded while construction work would mainly be internal.

They said the site fell within the designated holiday area, and the properties which would make up the new hotel were "all consistent in form".

The plans for a large bar area were considered acceptable as they are "typically town centre uses", while conditions would be imposed to ensure the function room was not used as a separate entity to the main hotel.

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Planners, who approved the application using their delegated powers, concluded: "Economically the proposal would bring a derelict hotel back into active use and the improvements to the appearance of the building would be beneficial to the other hotel businesses on the street."

Mr Banks bought the Ruskin Hotel in May 2017 before acquiring The Grosvenor - once named Europe's filthiest hotel - early this year.

He is proposing to invest a six figure sum in the refurbishment, incuding a 250 seat cabaret venue and basement spa complex.

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