New owners of Grosvenor House Hotel in Skegness have major plans to renovate and extend the historic building
New owners of the Grosvenor House Hotel in Skegness have submitted plans to East Lindsey District Council to renovate and extend the building.
The previous owner of the Grosvenor House Hotel Russell Sparkes put the business up for sale in the spring for £975,000. It was sold for an undisclosed sum in the summer to John Ling & Son Ltd.
Mr Ling wants to transform the business and has applied to extend and alter the hotel, bar and ballroom consisting of new external balcony and glass / zinc canopy.
Russell Sparkes previously tried to gain planning permission in 2016/2017 to extend the 100-year-old North Parade building, but he was refused.
The new owners are confident that their new application will be passed by the planning department.
The new application’s heritage statement says there is “clearly a need and opportunity to renovate and modernise the Grosvenor House Hotel and Imperial Ballroom to respond to the improvements taking place in this region of Skegness“
“These proposals restore something akin to the original features of the building adding to the character and sense of place in this important part of Skegness. These alterations will facilitate local need in light of the new large modern structures recently approved in the area,” the statement reads.
The new planning documents show that the new owners want to carry out internal alterations to the building. They include to reorganise the bars and kitchens to both the ground and first floor.
Also listed on the documents for the Lincolnshire hotel include a new balcony south east corner at first floor level.
“A balcony and fascia, also supported by columns extends around the south-east corner above the corner sweet shop. The canopy and balcony will create external covered seating areas for the bar / restaurant.
“Internally the ground floor bar and rear function room will be opened up to create a single larger space forming an enlarged bar / restaurant.
“At first floor level the existing ballroom / function space will be retained, but the existing bar will be reorganised to form a new cocktail bar which utilises the balcony space.
“The southeast corner at first floor level has previously been infilled with glazing, which will be removed and replaced. The windows could be located in a different position in order to enlarge the balcony zone. This would then reflect the original building configuration when the premises was first constructed.
“The proposals include a small glass canopy over the hotel entrance on the south elevation and a louvred wall at the west end of the external seated area to provide a wind break.”
The new owners want to make the Skegness Grosvenor House Hotel the talking point of the area, and if the investment and the planning application goes ahead, then they could get their wish.