A look at multi-million pound hotel and restaurant that could bring 72 jobs to Gainsborough

Plans for a major redevelopment of a key town centre site in Gainsborough – including a brand new hotel and restaurant – have been rubber-stamped by councillors.

West Lindsey district councillors voted unanimously in favour of the scheme, which includes a new 56-room Travelodge hotel on the site of the former Sun Inn and could bring in up to 72 jobs for the area.

Working in partnership with Dransfield Properties Ltd, it is hoped the development will transform the Market Street, Market Place, Church Street and North Street areas of the town.

The development has been welcomed by the business community in Gainsborough who have long supported the need for a town centre hotel to cater for both business and tourism.

WHAT WILL THE NEW DEVELOPMENT INCLUDE?

The first phase of work will deliver the new hotel and a Ponti’s Italian Kitchen restaurant on the ground floor, including an alfresco dining area and water feature inspired by Paley Park in New York.

The wider regeneration scheme also includes a joint venture partnership with West Lindsey District Council to refurbish town centre shops with new traditional shop fronts - creating an Independent Quarter in the town.

There will also be improvements to the Roseway Car Park creating additional town centre car parking and a welcoming arrival point for visitors on this key gateway site.

The hotel and restaurant will be housed in an Edwardian-style building with entrances from Market Street and the Roseways Car Park.

The development has been designed by Dixon Dawson Architects - headed by the same team who worked on Marshall’s Yard.

The new town centre development is being supported by a £1.4 million grant.

Work can start on the site once approval for the demolition has been confirmed by the Secretary of State.

Mark Dransfield, managing director for Dransfield Properties Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have the support of West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee and look forward to delivering this first phase of the development in the town centre.

“We know from our own experience as well as through speaking to the wider business community that there is a long held aspiration for a hotel in the town. This will be a huge boost to both business and tourism.

“With this new development we wanted to look at the whole area and really understand what could be done to improve this part of the town centre. Working with West Lindsey District Council on improving the public realm and shop fronts is going to make an enormous difference.”

Eve Fawcett-Moralee, commercial and economic growth director at West Lindsey District Council, said: “The hotel will be a major achievement for the town and it will have a huge impact to the local economy and local businesses, including the acclaimed Gainsborough Old Hall.

“It will not only transform an empty site into a high-quality hotel, but in terms of Gross Value Added, according to our independent economic specialists, the operation of the hotel and restaurant could bring £1.63m per annum into the area.

“Wider benefits include significant increase in visitor numbers and additional spending in the sub region to the benefit of local business and tourist attraction such as Town Hall live music venue, special Mayflower Anniversary in 2020, Scampton Airshow and Lincolnshire showground based events.”

The new town centre development is being supported by a £1.4 million grant.

For more information about Dransfield Properties, visit www.dransfield.co.uk.