Plans to turn “tired” House of Fraser into hotel approved

Councillors have approved plans to demolish the “tired,” “passed its day” House of Fraser and replace it with a hotel

City of Lincoln Council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead to Halifax Pension Nominees Limited’s plans to build a 150-room, four-star hotel on the site of the department store.

The current tenants Sports Direct Group have only renegotiated a short-term three-month long lease, and so Halifax said the plans were a “defensive position to ensure the long term sustainability of the site.”

The new hotel will be run by Radisson Hotels and the applicant said that 100 jobs would be created as part of the build, along with 90 extra construction jobs.

Agent Tim Waring said the hotel would create a “strong architectural landmark” and would help in the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

“This will be a great opportunity to assist in restarting the great economy recovery that we, as well as many other cities, will be faced with,” he said.

Councillor Ron Hills said the existing building was “tired” and that  its “day has already passed.”

“The building that’s going up is probably not everybody’s cup of tea but at the same time, I will concur that  it’s quite an attractive building,” he said.

Some councillors had reservations over the demolition, however, were reassured measures would be in place to limit disruption.

The proposals, revealed in November 2019, would see the store flattened and three new buildings built between two to five storeys in height.

St Peter’s Passage, which the city council closed due to anti-social behaviour, would also be reopened and enhanced with a courtyard to the adjoining hotel.

Restaurant, bar and leisure facilities are included in the plan, as well as commercial space onto the High Street.

The hotel would be accessed via Mint Street and the retail units via High Street.