The “world’s fastest growing” hotel chain wants to open a new outlet in the heart of Plymouth – in what was once a Woolworths store.
Oyo Hotels, part of a global hotels and homes company, is eyeing huge expansion in Europe and the 海角视频, where it already has dozens of hotels in locations such as London, Blackpool, Edinburgh, Manchester and Sheffield.
It now has its sights on Plymouth, already owning the Brunel Inn at nearby Saltash, and plans have been submitted for a 95-bedroom hotel above a Poundland store in Plymouth city centre.
The applicant, Red Lion Estates Ltd, wants to convert two upper floors of offices between New George Street and Cornwall Street.
The building was a large Woolworths store until that firm went belly up in 2009, and although Poundland and its associated fashion outlet Pep&Co has moved in this does not fill the entire building.
Red Lion Estates has a contract with the Oyo Group to run a new hotel under the name Plymouth Central.
The India-based hotel group, which styles itself the “world’s fastest growing”, started in 2013 and is now one of the biggest global operators by number of rooms.
Its business model is to work with owners who operate under the Oyo brand and use its booking technology.
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The brand, which also has hotels in Torquay and Bristol, is reportedly targeting huge expansion in the 海角视频, but has also struggled in its homeland.
It was reported in January 2020 that Oyo Hotels has pulled out of dozens of cities and cut thousands of rooms, axing staff too, to slash huge operating losses in the face of pressure from its biggest investor, the Japanese conglomerate SoftBank.
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However, Oyo said that “in just six months, we have grown to 40-plus hotels and over 1,000 rooms in the 海角视频.”
In Plymouth, a planning statement from DPA Architects said 55 of the proposed rooms would have en suite bathrooms but 40 would have use of communal showers.
It said the three-star “travel lodge” style hotel would have two “breakout areas” for serving breakfast.
The statement estimated the hotel would create the equivalent of 45 full-time jobs.
It said there is a need for more hotel spaces in the city centre ahead of the Mayflower 400 commemorations throughout 2020.
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The 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage of discovery is expected to attract nearly six million visitors to Plymouth this year and establish the city as a key draw for visitor.
The planning statement said: “The Plymouth Plan recognises the current need for more visitor and tourism infrastructure.
“Tourist demand for Plymouth is growing and significant efforts are being made to increase visitor numbers through events planning and improving the destination offer.
“In particular, the Mayflower 400 celebrations are a key focal point and opportunity for enhancing the tourism experience.”
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The statement said there would be no parking spaces at the site, but the operator would issue permits for a public car park and create a sustainable travel plan.
The proposals cover the first and second floors between 66-68 New George Street above Poundland and 65-71 Cornwall Street. Shops on the ground floor would not be affected by the scheme.
A decision has yet to be made on the planning application.