First look revealed at proposed four-storey hotel for Fareham

The 84-bedroom Premier Inn hotel is planned to be built in empty office space above Waterstones at Fareham Shopping Centre.

If approved, the hotel will be owned and fully funded by Fareham Borough Council, which is working with centre operators the Roubaix Group on bringing forward the development.

The operators have released the image ahead of the launch of a public consultation on the proposals on Wednesday.

Derek Griffin, head of acquisitions at Premier Inn said: ‘We’re looking to invest into Fareham with a good quality and well-designed hotel.

‘This is the perfect opportunity to bring Premier Inn into the town and we’re looking forward to working up the application.’

The new unit, which will add two extra storeys to the back of the shopping complex, is hoped to provide a new element to the town’s nighttime economy.

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of the council, welcomed the designs.

He said: ‘The artist impression suggests that the hotel will fit in quite comfortably with the shopping centre and the surroundings.

‘It will be ideally located for guests as the hotel would be near lots of car parking and the council does not charge for overnight parking.’

Concerns had previously been raised around parking due to the council looking to change provision over the coming years, which could lead to the loss of the Osborn Road multi-storey car park.

Premier Inn would be the first budget hotel to come to the town.

The public consultation starts from Wednesday until April 2 with an exhibition of the proposals taking place on Thursday from 11am to 5.30pm and then on Friday from 11am to 4pm in the shopping centre.