£30m hotel could replace former St Chads

Boasting 184 rooms over 7 floors and creating 50 new jobs, this hotel could be seen as a much needed development for Blackpool’s promenade.

The former St Chads Hotel was bought by the Fragrance Group in 2018 from the Whittaker family who had owned it since 1969. The hotel group already owns The Imperial Hotel and the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool, and operates across three continents.

The hotel was built as part of St Chads Terrace, and was later enlarged to 90 rooms arranged over four floors as adjacent buildings were acquired. It was run as a two-star hotel until it closed in 2021 following the collapse of the previous operating company.

The building was no longer fit for purpose, and it would have been uneconomic to attempt to refurbish it because it could never have delivered the standard of accommodation that today’s hotel guests require.  

After the hotel closed, the buildings were used by both the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Lancashire Police as a location for vital training sessions.

An application for demolition was submitted on behalf of the Fragrance Group in March 2023 and subsequently granted by Blackpool Council.

It is expected to create between 40 and 50 new full-time (equivalent) jobs.  

Above: Artistic impression of the proposed new building.

The plans envisage guest rooms on the upper floors, while the ground floor would include a restaurant for around 150 covers and a bar area.

Parking for 40 cars would be provided at ground-floor level to the rear of the building, to help improve the public realm along the Promenade.

At the front would be an external terrace for additional seating, as well as new planting and landscaping.

The proposed parking includes four spaces for wheelchair users as well as six set aside for electric vehicles. There would also be a dedicated cycle parking area.

Twelve of the bedrooms would be specifically designated as accessible.

The developer are welcoming the public's comments and questions. Please click the link below which will take you to a questionnaire which should take around five to ten minutes to complete.

Click here to fill out questionnaire

Alternatively, you can email enquiries@newhotelforblackpool.co.uk with your thoughts.