Refurbishment plans approved for empty hotel

Plans to refurbish a Grade II listed hotel which has been empty for two years have been approved.

The former Hotel Majestic on Duke Street, Barrow, would become a Garner Hotel under the IHG brand as part of the proposals granted by Westmorland and Furness Council.

Developer Ashall Projects Limited said the building "was in poor state of repair" as it submitted plans to install a new interior, replace 12 windows and attach new signage.

The Liberal Democrat-led authority said work must begin within three years and needed to safeguard the character and appearance of the listed building, including keeping the replacement window frames white.

Listed building consent was granted on 10 September by the council.

No objections were raised to the plans.

However, planning officers noted the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England needed to be given notice before any demolition work took place.

The building, which dates back to 1904, falls within the Central Barrow Conservation Area.

Ownership of the property changed hands in January, documents said.

The applicant said the new hotel would supplement the offer of the adjacent Holiday Inn Express, by offering a number of longer stay rooms with kitchenettes.

They added the owner was seeking to tap into the short-term worker market for contractors working in BAE Systems, offshore wind and Furness General Hospital.

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