AMBITIOUS plans to transform a vacant former pub in Barnard Castle into a 19-bed hotel have been drawn up.
Developer Paul Million has submitted plans to Durham County Council to convert the former Beaconsfield pub at 105 Galgate into an “apart-hotel” . The applicant says the County Durham Plan has identified a need for more
visitor accommodation in Barnard Castle, especially “boutique guest bedrooms” .
The double-fronted Victorian property, which has been extended over the years, was originally built by bookmaker Joseph Errington in 1878 and called Beaconsfield House. The building, which is in the town’s conservation area, was turned into a hotel and bar in the mid-fifties, but was converted into a restaurant in 2014 by former owner Kamal Alley. The building has stood empty since 2019 when the restaurant closed.
The proposals seek to demolish the single storey extensions to the rear of the original building, replacing them with a three-storey extension, built using “blonde” bricks and mirroring the property’s tall chimneys.
Communal space in the hotel would be limited to a ground floor sitting room overlooking Galgate.
Apart-hotels are serviced apartments with a hotel-style booking system. A design statement by Cellar Door Architecture 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. Barnard Castle is popular for walkers and outdoor pursuits. Apart-hotels provide the perfect space for a weekend or month-long get-away for visitors to receive the full experience of living in the town.”
The plans seek to create 14 studio apartments – 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.
Cellar Door Architecture added: “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.”
The three-storey extension would be built using white brick with cladding to the roof.
Cellar Door Architecture said: “The material selection was chosen to complement and mimic the warm tones of the existing buildings external envelope while paying homage to the chimneys.”
Changes to the car park off Galgate will provide 16 bays. Three of these bays will be designated for electric vehicles and one for disabled access. A cycle storage space has been allocated to accommodate for up to eight bicycles.
Currently, Barnard Castle has few accommodation venues of significant size. Permission to turn a former bank into an eight-bed boutique hotel was granted by Durham County Council in 2019.
