St Albans city-centre hotel plan resubmitted

THE UK’s largest hotel chain has not been put off hopes of opening in St Albans city centre, submitting another planning application to the district council.

Premier Inn is hoping for a change of heart with its latest scheme to transform the former McDonald’s site in St Peter’s Street after St Albans district council rejected an earlier proposals for a 125-bedroom budget hotel.

A spokesman for the hotel chain said it had taken heed of councillors’ reasons for refusing the original application and the design has been altered in line with their concerns.

Premier Inn’s St Albans application is not yet available for public perusal as the scheme is still going through a validation process by council officers.

A few months ago the chain boasted of securing eight new sites in just one week – a mix of office-to-hotel conversions – part of its bid to add to its growing portfolio.

The spokesman said: “St Albans is high on our target towns’ list and we are very excited about the possibility of a Premier Inn on St Peter’s Street. It is an outstanding location and means that we can offer great quality affordable rooms in the heart of the town centre.

“Our proposed hotel will be a real asset for St Albans by providing good quality accommodation at an affordable price.”