Fresh plans have been submitted to transform a derelict former hotel into a 63 bed Premier Inn, restaurants and retail units - creating 110 jobs.The prominent Tudno Castle Hotel in Llandudno has lain empty since closing in 2008 and become an eyesore in the centre of the seaside resort.
A previous attempt to redevelop the Grade II Listed site collapsed, but last year developers revealed a new plan for the site involving the Premier Inn.
A revised planning application has now been submitted to Conwy County Council.
Under the £10m plans Opus Land would build a 63 bed hotel, retaining the existing facade, create three restaurants, two retail units and a business unit on the top floor.
This would see Premier Inn come in to run the hotel with Italian chain Prezzo taking over one of the restaurants.
Negotiations are ongoing for the other restaurants and bar units.
Mostyn Estates managing director Edward Hillier said: “This is a very important development for the town. Premier Inn will attract new visitors to Llandudno.
“Some people now go straight to Premier Inn or Travelodge websites and see where they have hotels and when they see there is a hotel in Llandudno will book that.
“Developing this site is also crucial in providing the seamless link from Parc Llandudno to the high street with two new retail sites developed providing this link.
“We already have Premier Inn and Prezzo are taking one of the restaurant sites and we are in discussions over the second restaurant site.
“There is also a bar/restaurant site as well.
“We will be start the active search for tenants for the retail units at a later date but we know in which direction we want to go.”
Aberconwy AM Janet Finch Saunders said: “I am delighted to learn an investor has come forward with a redevelopment scheme for the once iconic Tudno Castle Hotel.
“For too long this well situated hotel, has been an eyesore and there is so much potential here for a new and innovative redevelopment scheme. Llandudno has always been renowned for many years, as the Premier shopping town in North Wales.
“This redevelopment once completed, will further link the Parc Llandudno Retail Park to the town itself and will be yet another superb attraction and asset to the town.”
Planning permission was granted to previous site owners Conwy Estates in 2008 after a lengthy planning process which culminated in an inquiry heard by a Welsh Government planning inspector.
But Conwy Estates said the process had drained resources and that Premier Inn, a subsidiary of Whitbreads brewery, was no longer interested.
This new plan would create a mixed use development of nearly 5,000 sq metres over five floors, including a semi basement lower ground floor.
In order to retain the listed facade a detailed scheme of structural stabilisation and temporary propping of the facade will be required.
The building dates back to the 1870s and was formerly two hotels, Tudno Castle and the Temperance Hotel. It became the Great Western Hotel and then went back to the Tudno Castle name. It was Grade II Listed in 1976.
With soaring energy prices developers want to install a heat pump to heat the hotel.
The two retail units will be over two floors to blend in with existing units on Parc Llandudno.
A spokesman said: “The retail use is supported by Conwy’s Local Development Plan strategic policies that seek to protect the retail offer in Llandudno and enhance the vitality, attractiveness and viability of the retail centres.”
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