Developer seeks Travelodge expansion

A GREATER Manchester property company is seeking to expand the size of a new Lancaster hotel it intends to build for Travelodge after failing to secure enough retail tenants.

The developer Kempsten already has permission for a 115-bedroom hotel on the site of the city’s old Regal cinema and Gala Bingo premises in King Street.

The original plans allowed for two floors of retail with four floors of hotel accommodation above.

But council documents show Kempsten has failed to attract tenants to the first floor despite a “long and extensive marketing campaign”.

The council suggests this is down to consolidation among retailers and uncertainty around the future of Lancaster’s retail centre in relation to other city centre developments.

Now Kempsten wants to use this space for an extra 19 hotel rooms and a cafe but requires a change to planning regulations that stipulate ground and first floor space should be used for retail purposes.

The council said: “Though the loss of retail space in a central location such as this is unfortunate, in the circumstances its loss is acceptable. However, it is acceptable because the space is at first floor level and difficult to market, especially during a recession. The key is to maintain the retail space at ground level, which is proposed.”

Councillors are expected to approve the revised plans when the case is considered on Monday. Kempsten could not be reached for comment. Records at Companies House show the business is registered to an accoutancy firm in Rochdale and owned by Isaac Toporwitz of Salford.

Travelodge has committed £47m to expand its estate and in the past few months has announced plans for new hotels in Manchester and one on the Wirral.