Premier Inn aims to expand Inverness hotel
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PLANS by a leading hotel chain to expand one of its Inverness premises have been welcomed as a potential employment boost.
Premier Inn has applied to build a three-storey extension at its existing Inverness West branch in the city’s Glenurquhart Road.
If approved, the new building will contain 54 rooms, taking the total available at the hotel to 130.
A total of 86 new parking spaces would also be created.
Local councillors have backed the plans, saying the additional accommodation will help the city cater for the increasing number of tourists visiting the area, as well as creating jobs.
Alex Graham (Lib Dem) said: "The Premier Inn is a real asset to Inverness and the local area, primarily because of the accommodation and restaurant facilities.
"The tourism industry is booming at the moment and we desperately need more accommodation for the number of visitors to the area.
"It is also a big local employer and it’s going to create even more jobs, with more rooms and a busier restaurant.
"As an Inverness councillor I am very happy that the hotel is planning to expand.
"There will be a bit of a visual impact but I think over time it will fit in well with the current landscape."
Fellow Inverness West councillor Graham Ross added: "We need more accommodation in the city, particularly budget accommodation, and this will provide that.
"I think it will be great for Inverness."
Premier Inn is a subsidiary of Whitbread, which also owns coffee giant Costa and Brewers Fayre restaurants.
It is not yet clear how much the development will cost or exactly how many new jobs will be created but Barton Willmore, the agency which submitted the application on Whitbread’s behalf, says in its planning statement: "The proposed development seeks to build upon the success of the existing hotel, which opened over six years ago.
"The resulting 130-bed hotel, which will operate alongside the neighbouring Beefeater restaurant, will support additional jobs and strengthen the tourism offer in this important and developing western gateway to Inverness."
