Extra bedrooms for Shrewsbury Hotel

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Thursday, 18 October 2018 22:19

By Emily Lloyd - Local Democracy Reporter

The scene after the explosion in 2010.

A national pub chain is looking to expand a Grade Two listed hotel in Shrewsbury town centre by redeveloping an area damaged in a gas explosion.

The area on the corner of Bridge Street has been cordoned off since the original buildings were destroyed by the blast, which happened in January 2010, and injured 11 people – five of them seriously.

Now JD Wetherspoon, which runs the neighbouring Shrewsbury Hotel, wants to redevelop the land by creating an extra 23 guest rooms through a two-storey extension.

The company’s plans include extending the beer garden.

Julien Karczewski, agent with Architect CT, said: “The building is currently a JD Wetherspoons public house with hotel accommodation at first and second floor levels.

“A collection of buildings previously occupied the corner of the site next to Bridge Street (currently boarded off) until a gas explosion in 2010 caused their complete demolition.

He added: “The layout aims to re-establish the line of the original, pre-gas
explosion façade along Bridge Street and Hill’s Lane in both scale and materials, occupying the same footprint as the earlier buildings.

“As the proposed elevation turns the corner to look onto Mardol Quay and the River Severn it gradually steps back towards to reflect the site boundary and to frame the view of the Shrewsbury Hotel.”

The proposal will mean a loss of 14 car parking spaces which are currently at the front of the business in Mardol, while two disabled spaces will be retained.

Mr Karczewski said the hotel currently has 22 guest bedrooms and employs three full-time and 11 part-time members of staff.

He added the extension will create a further five part-time jobs.

The hotel has occupied the site since the early 19th century and was previously known as The Britannia Hotel.

In her pre-application advice, Shropshire Council conservation officer, Karen Rolfe, said it is a “substantial and visually prominent” building.

She added: “The building is located at a very important and prominent gateway site to both the town centre and the Frankwell neighbourhood, and is one of the most visually sensitive locations within the town centre, sited at a busy intersection of streets, and within prominent views from a number of key
locations.”

A decision on the application, and a separate listed building consent, is expected from Shropshire Council before the end of the year.

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