Decision in on proposed revamp of Grade II-listed Blackpool hotel

A massive renovation project inside a prominent Grade II-listed Blackpool hotel has been given the go ahead.

Forshaw’s Hotel, a 90-bedroom establishment whose ground floor is a retail area which includes the Turtle Bay restaurant and a Starbuck coffee house, will now have its upper storeys extensively refurbished.

The application to Blackpool Council’s planners needed special listed building consent, in order to protect a building regarded as one the resort’s heritage assets.

For many years the premises operated as The Clifton Hotel, on the corner of Talbot Road and the Promenade in Talbot Square, before being rebranded as a Travelodge in the mid 2000s.

The propsals submitted to the council involves cosmetic upgrades, demolition of selected internal walls within the basement, ground floor and first floor, two new staircases within the basement and ground floor and refit of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing system using existing service routes.

Despite being given the green light. the planning officer made note of a comment from Blackpool Civic Trust, which stated: “The works appear to be relatively minor.

“The Trust would recommend that, as walls are broken for doorways, photos should be taken to record if any decorative features are disturbed or revealed. In addition, all fabric should be repaired and redecorated using appropriate materials.”

Very little original fabric survives

A heritage, design and access statement said: “The hotel is a Grade II listed building situated within the Blackpool Town Centre Conservation Area.

“Whilst the external appearance remains largely consistent with its original architectural form, it is evident that substantial internal alterations have been undertaken over time.

“As a result, very little of the building’s historic fabric survives within the existing hotel.

“As this LBC (listed building consent) application relates solely to internal alterations, it is anticipated that the proposals are uncontentious. “

A report by the planning officer said: “The proposal would affect mainly non-historic fabric.

“The limited areas where historic fabric would be affected, namely the new internal staircase to the basement with doorways and a new external door to a staircase at first floor, would lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of the designated listed building as a heritage asset,

“The proposals would have public benefits which would outweigh the harm identified, including securing its optimum viable use as a hotel in the heart of the Town Centre Conservation Area in Talbot Square.

“ However, the comments of the Civic Trust are noted, although it is accepted that it is difficult to know if any historic fabric may be discovered as the building is altered.

“It is noted that this extensive history of alteration, particularly to the building’s interior, has diminished its heritage value, as minimal historic fabric now remains within the existing hotel.

“By securing the ongoing viable use of the property as a hotel, the proposals contribute positively to the long-term conservation of the listed building and its continued role within the town centre.”