Hotel plans rekindled for town centre retail site

UK budget hotel group Premier Inn are understood to be considering building a new hotel in Newtown town centre.

MyNewtown understands plans have moved forward with a developer or the hotel chain itself acquiring the Ladywell Shopping Centre in Newtown for a new hotel.

Last year the company said Newtown was not part of its then expansion plans.

However, it is understood the site, which includes the large former Co-Operative supermarket, is now being considered for a budget hotel.

The company has been asked to comment, although it is understood the plans would include demolishing the current site, replacing it with a new building and associated car park.

Part of the site, including the former supermarket, is being marketed for let by agents acting for the site's owner which is a pension fund.

Plans for a new hotel in Newtown have been on the cards for at least 40 years.

The former Development Board for Rural Wales and its predecessor the Mid Wales Development Board had originally earmarked the Old Laundry site (now the McDonalds restaurant) in Newtown for a hotel.

However, no private hotel company came forward to take it on and it was instead developed for the McDonald's franchise after the link road between Cambrian Way and the car park was built.

However, if the plans are correct for the town centre, it could provide a boost at a time of uncertainty as to whether the new bypass will attract more trade and visitors.

A hotel would act as a magnet for visitors, in addition to the other local accommodation providers, including The Elephant and Castle Hotel which has undergone refurbishment in recent years.