Investment in Amble
A new hotel and leisure facility is set to be built in the seaside town of Amble in Northumberland under plans unveiled by development company Arch.
The council-owned developers have announced they are in talks with a regional hotelier as well as a design team, who are in the process of drafting up a submission to put before Northumberland County Council within months.
Early proposals are for a 30-bed hotel which would also have a top quality restaurant and bar with room for 150 diners.
The council’s business chair, Coun Scott Dickinson, has welcomed the proposals as key to attracting more people to Amble, which is one of Northumberland’s up and coming coastal tourism destinations.
The news come days after Arch announced expansion potential for Manor Walks shopping centre in Cramlington, having acquired the complex from Hammerson in a deal worth £78m.
Arch is also seeking to expand Wansbeck Business Park in Ashington, the freehold of which it acquired last year.
The group – established by Northumberland County Council as an arms-length development company to drive capital economic development, physical regeneration projects and business growth in Northumberland – has devised the hotel move to capitalise on Amble’s popularity.
Group leaders said Amble is popular for both day visitors and holiday makers with its harbour and marina, and close proximity to many of the county’s most beautiful beaches.
To maximise on these assets, it said there is an identified need for serviced visitor accommodation and three star plus boutique-type hotels to complement the accommodation currently on offer and support the town’s economy.
Coun Dave Ledger, Arch Chair and Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council said: “Through the provision of an attractive food and beverage offer with modern, affordable accommodation there is a real opportunity to bring more economic activity into Amble and increase visitor numbers.
“Subject to planning permission being secured, this first class leisure facility will be located on a prominent site owned by Arch on the A1068 North East Coastal Route.”
Coun Scott Dickinson is business chair of Northumberland County Council and county councillor for the Druridge Bay ward.
He said: “I look forward to seeing these plans progress.
“A development like this will be great for Amble and surrounding areas like Hadston and Widdrington – helping to attract many more tourists and visitors to the town and creating more jobs for local people.
“Once established, it can also provide a catalyst for further commercial opportunities in the area and in particular the Coquet Enterprise Park.”
Arch is looking to submit a planning application for this development in autumn 2016, with the aim of appointing a contractor to deliver the scheme in spring 2017.
