A new high-quality 184-bed hotel on Blackpool’s famous Promenade is proposed on the site of the former St Chads Hotel.
Here we explain the plans and are offering you the opportunity to let us know what you think, before we submit a planning application to Blackpool Council.
The Fragrance Group of Singapore also own the Imperial and Lyndene hotels in Blackpool. Their proposals mark a significant investment in the resort’s future, improving the appearance of Blackpool’s “shop window” at a prominent position in the heart of the town’s Central Promenade
It is anticipated that the new 4-star hotel proposed for the Promenade will attract more visitors who will stay longer in Blackpool and come back more often, providing a welcome boost to the town’s economy. It will also provide new, long-term employment opportunities.
About the Fragrance Group
The Fragrance Group owns a portfolio of hotels and commercial and residential properties across the United Kingdom, Australia and Singapore.
In England it has most recently overseen the restoration of the Municipal Buildings in Liverpool to create a luxurious 179-bedroom four-star hotel, and built the new four-star beachfront Paignton Mercure in the heart of the English Riviera in Devon.
It also owns the Imperial Hotel on Blackpool’s North Promenade, the Lyndene Hotel adjacent to St Chads, the Townhouse Hotel in Manchester and the Crown Hotel in Harrogate, amongst others.
The group’s business model in the UK is to invest in hotels which are operated by partner organisations.
About the Architects
Established in 1997, Falconer Chester Hall (FCH) are award winning practitioners in architecture, masterplanning and interior design.
They aim to create visually stunning, practical buildings that combine commercial viability and visual appeal to bring impressive economic, cultural and community benefits to the wider area.
With offices in Liverpool and Manchester, they have recently worked with the Fragrance Group on the Municipal Buildings in Liverpool.
Hotel Site and History
The St Chads site lies between the Southern and Central piers, to the east of the Bloomfield Road football ground. It is roughly equidistant from Blackpool Tower to the north and the Pleasure Beach to the south, making it an ideal location for a wide range of visitors.
The Promenade is well served by both bus and tram routes that connect it to the wider region.
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 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.
Blackpool’s Planning Policy
The Blackpool Local Plan, which sets out the vision for the future development of the town, aims to “raise the quality in all aspects of the visitor experience”.
It supports proposals that will replace low-quality, older holiday accommodation with new or improved accommodation of a high standard which contributes to resort neighbourhood regeneration.
Blackpool Council’s Destination Management Plan says: “Standing still is not an option for a resort that prides itself on being the home of family fun and entertainment. Success lies in the continual reinvention of the tourism offer.”
A key target of the plan is to convert day visitors into staying visitors, and to promote repeat visits.
The plans
The Fragrance Group propose a new 184-bed hotel on the site of the old St Chads and the neighbouring Lyric Hotel, Regency Apartments and café which are part of the same block.
This high-quality seven-storey building will see a major investment of around £30 million into Blackpool’s economy while also creating a landmark building for the Promenade.
It is expected to create between 40 and 50 new full-time (equivalent) jobs.
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 actual construction would be subject to a plan of action agreed beforehand with Blackpool Council. This would include, for instance, hours of work, vehicular access, and dust and noise suppression.
We would like to know what you think about the proposals for a new hotel on the site of the former St Chads. 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.
Have your say
The project team will consider all the feedback received about the proposals.
After that, we expect to submit a planning application to Blackpool Council for its consideration. Once an application has been validated, the council will conduct its own consultation exercise where there will be a further opportunity for neighbours and other consultees to have their say.
Should the application be approved, we would aim to start work on site as soon as possible.