Whitbread – owner of Premier Inn – and Swindon Borough Council have agreed a deal which could see Aspen House redeveloped for a new 197-bed Premier Inn hotel, taking forward an important part of Swindon’s town centre regeneration programme.
Whitbread has agreed terms with Swindon Borough Council to acquire the site of the former Aspen House on Regent Street subject to planning permission – an application for planning permission is anticipated to be submitted later this month (November).
If approved, the plans would see Whitbread investing in excess of £17 million in constructing a brand new Premier Inn over 8 storeys together with a ‘Bar+Block’ steakhouse restaurant on the ground floor.
In addition to regenerating the Aspen House site, the plans could see Whitbread creating approximately 80-85 new year-round jobs within the hotel and restaurant.
Paul Smith, Acquisition Manager at Premier Inn, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity to invest in an excellently-located town centre site and bring a new Premier Inn hotel and restaurant, around 80-85 jobs and some real momentum to the regeneration plans in Swindon.
'We’re pleased to be playing a part and, subject to planning permission, look forward to starting construction on what will be a superb addition to Swindon’s hotel and leisure offer. We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Swindon Borough Council and continuing our excellent track record of working with local authorities to invest and make regeneration happen.”
Subject to planning permission, Whitbread anticipates starting construction in summer 2020 and for the hotel and restaurant to be opening their doors in autumn 2021.
Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, said, “Over the next 12 months, residents and businesses will see a visible difference to the Aspen House site with construction starting on a new Premier Inn hotel and Bar+Block steakhouse.
'This deal has been quietly worked on for nearly a year and is hugely positive news for Swindon. It clearly demonstrates that, step by step, we are making real progress in sorting out the regeneration of our town.
“My thanks to the team at Whitbread, Turley and Council officers for making this happen. The Council is committed to making the town centre a popular and thriving destination.”
Whitbread has been looking to invest into a new hotel in Swindon for some time to meet local demand and as part of the company’s overall expansion of its network across the UK and Ireland.
Swindon Borough Council has ambitious plans for regeneration in the town centre and the opportunity to unlock and redevelop the former Aspen House site represents a key part of that overall town centre regeneration strategy.
The hotel and restaurant will benefit from 42 'on site' guest car parking spaces, with additional car parking available in the Granville Street car park immediately to the west of the site.