Premier Inn has announced plans to expand its Southend seafront hotel, converting part of the former Brewers Fayre restaurant into additional guest rooms and constructing a substantial extension at the rear of the building.
The Brewers Fayre restaurant, which closed last year following mixed reviews and being unprofitable, is set to make way for new hotel accommodation as part of Premier Inn’s ongoing growth strategy.
The UK’s largest hotel brand has submitted a planning application to Southend City Council, proposing the addition of 47 new rooms to meet increasing demand in the area.
If approved, the expansion would see the number of rooms at the hotel rise from 81 to 128, significantly boosting the availability of budget-friendly accommodation on Southend seafront.
Meeting Growing Demand for Budget Stays
Premier Inn has cited “considerable demand” for more affordable hotel options in Southend, citing the thousands of people who visit Southend-on-Sea each year.
A spokesperson for the hotel chain explained: “This proposal for additional bedrooms and an adjusted restaurant proposition would meet Premier Inn’s operational requirements at the location and go some way in helping to address this bedroom demand.”
The move aligns with Premier Inn’s wider strategy of converting underperforming restaurant spaces into additional guest rooms. The company reports that early results from similar conversions have shown higher guest satisfaction, particularly with streamlined food and beverage offerings.
Boosting the Local Economy
Beyond meeting demand, Premier Inn believes the expansion will contribute positively to Southend’s economy. By increasing capacity, the hotel chain expects to attract more tourists and business travellers, ultimately supporting local businesses and job opportunities.
The proposal will now undergo review by Southend City Council’s planning officers before being put to a vote by the development control committee.
A Legacy of Affordable Accommodation
Did you know? Premier Inn’s journey began in 1987 with its first-ever hotel opening in Basildon, next to ‘The Watermill’ Beefeater restaurant. Since then, it has grown into the UK’s largest and most recognised budget hotel chain, with over 800 locations nationwide.
If approved, this latest expansion in Southend will further cement Premier Inn’s presence in the region, offering more visitors a comfortable and affordable stay by the sea.