Days after announcing 6,000 jobs could go, Whitbread given permission to build new hotel
A Premier Inn and Beefeater restaurant will be built in Teignmouth following a vote this morning - after plans were submitted on behalf of parent company Whitbread.
Last updated 24th Sep 2020
Teignbridge council say plans to regenerate Teignmouth have 'taken another major step forward' today with approval of the details of the three storey 68-bed hotel and Beefeater restaurant.
Work is likely to start on the derelict Brunswick Street car park site at the end of this year, with an estimated completion date towards the end of next year.
Around 50 new year-round jobs are expected to be created, with recruitment focussed in Teignmouth and the surrounding areas.
The planning decision comes despite Whitbread this week announcing 6,000 jobs could go after a slump in its hotel guests due to the pandemic.
Teignbridge District Council says it will construct the new hotel to Premier Inn’s latest specification, with the final building being leased to Whitbread, Premier Inn’s parent company, for a minimum of 25 years.
Cllr Nina Jefferies, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “At a time when the tourism sector needs investment more than ever, this much-needed facility will provide jobs and secure year-round holiday accommodation in a well-established hotel chain.
“The hotel and restaurant, additional parking spaces and the new health and wellbeing centre will greatly enhance the appearance of what has been a run-down part of Teignmouth, and will act as a catalyst for further enhancements and regeneration of the town.”
Paul Smith, Acquisition Manager for Premier Inn, said: “We are continuing to grow Premier Inn in popular locations where we do not have a presence and where we know our customers want us to be.
"Our brand will bring a different style of accommodation to Teignmouth, complementing the many excellent independent hotels and guest houses in the town, and we expect the hotel will be very popular with guests looking for short-breaks and staycations in the popular seaside resort all year-round.”
Also as part of the regeneration of the town, the facility at Northumberland Place will be sold to the Teignmouth Arts and Community Group (TAAG) to take on the ownership of the premises, having rented it for several years.
Teignbridge District Council Leader, Cllr Alan Connett, said: "We could never have predicted when we began this project in 2016, what we would be living through as it finally comes to fruition.
"However, the impact of coronavirus means it’s more important than ever for us to support our communities and our local economy to thrive, grow and develop in a way that is responsive to changing need.
"We’re really pleased about moving forward with this exciting development, and working with Premier Inn and Whitbread Plc to establish Teignmouth as a premier tourist destination, and to provide great facilities for local community groups."
Premier Inn operates several hotels in coastal and seaside locations in Devon including at Torquay, Paignton and Exmouth.