PROPOSALS to turn an empty County Durham pub into a 19-bed ‘apart-hotel’ have been drafted after official submissions into Durham County Council have been made.
Since 2019, The Beaconsfield at 105 Galgate in Barnard Castle has stood empty after closing as a restaurant and bar.
However, ambitious plans to turn the former pub into a swanky hotel-apartment hybrid have been put forward by developer Paul Million and help from Cellar Door Architecture.
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As part of the application to Durham County Council, the applicant is seeking to demolish the single storey extensions to the rear of the original building, replacing them with a three-storey extension.
Despite slight alterations to the design of the building, Mr Million and those involved in the project said on the application form that they’ll keep the character of the double-fronted Victorian property, which was originally built by bookmaker Joseph Errington in 1878 and called Beaconsfield House.
If the proposals are successful, 14 studio apartments would be created – three on the ground floor, six on the first floor and five to the second floor – and five one-bedroom apartments – four on the ground floor and another on the first floor.
Alongside the building and accommodation change, alterations will also be made to the car park, which will provide 16 spaces just off Galgate.
Three of these bays will be designated for electric vehicles and one for disabled access.
A cycle storage space has also been allocated to accommodate for up to eight bicycles.
In the design and access statement on Durham County Council’s planning portal, partner for the project, Cellar Door Architecture has explained the format of an apart-hotel, which takes the form of an apartment, but allows guests to book like a hotel.
It said: “This is commonly used for occupants who are looking for extended stays, ranging from a couple of days to months. Due to the longer-term stay of occupants, apart-hotels are fitted out with necessities that can be found in a home.”
“The building interiors have been adapted and changed over the building’s history. Few historical details now remain. Extensive refurbishment will be required to convert the building from its current restaurant use to hotel.”
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