Premier Inn goes coastal

Premier Inn owner Whitbread has announced plans to create more than 1,000 new rooms along the UK’s coastline. The firm said it had secured nearly 400 deals for new Premier Inn rooms in seaside locations across the UK, while approximately another 500 rooms will be constructed at new hotel sites over the next year. A further 100 rooms are being added to existing Premier Inns through extensions. Locations for new Premier Inn hotels include Porthmadog on the boundary of Snowdonia National Park, Brighton, Holyhead and Newquay, while strong demand for Premier Inn rooms on the coast has encouraged the business to extend some of its existing hotels, such as in Paignton in Devon and Southport. Whitbread will also open its first Premier Inn hotel in the Channel Islands at the end of May in Jersey. Jo Moon, director of acquisitions for Whitbread, said: “With the recent rise in staycations, we’ve found there’s an increased demand for Premier Inn bedrooms in coastal locations around the UK. There are also significant regeneration and modernisation projects taking place in seaside towns and cities, and we’re excited to be a part of this change. “These new Premier Inn bedrooms will help to support seaside economies by attracting visitors across all four seasons and creating year-round jobs for local people. Local businesses also benefit from our presence as many of our guests visit local attractions and eat and drink out when they stay with us. “We plan to build on this momentum over the next 12 months and are on the lookout for more coastal sites for new Premier Inn hotels.” To send feedback, e-mail Louise.Dransfield@egi.co.uk or tweet @DransfieldL or @estatesgazette