I'd rather drive 45m home than stay in a Bridlington hotel says one of the district's own councillors

Councillor Mally Boatman sparked outrage after saying there was not one hotel where he would consider staying the night, and he wouldn’t even consider a bed and breakfast.

The comments were made during an East Riding of Yorkshire Council planning committee meeting on May 26, at which Premier Inn was granted permission to build a new hotel in the town.

Bridlington’s mayor, Councillor Liam Dealtry, has attacked the comments and demanded an apology from the former Goole Mayor.

Cllr Dealtry said: “We have some of the best hotels in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

“He is a representative of the East Riding and he’s calling all the hotels down publicly. I want a public apology and that he retract his statement.”

But Cllr Boatman said he stood by his comments.

He said: “Through the experience I had, the ones I have stayed in, that’s the impression I have got.

“I think there is a need for a modern hotel. I also said I think the design Premier Inn have come up with is very good. They have designed it to fit in with the surrounding area.

“We have stayed in a couple of them [Bridlington hotels] and they are all a bit older inside. I would rather stay sober and drive the 45 miles home.”

But the former Goole mayor said he did not meant to offend people by his comments.

He added: “If I have upset anyone, I apologise”.

Bridlington hotelier, Peter Davidson, proprietor of Brentwood House in Princess Street, said: “I think what was said was totally out of order. I think it is potentially damaging.

“We strive very, very hard in this business. I know there are guest houses that are not up to standards, but everyone in the Bridlington Tourism Association is up to standard, and we are inspected regularly.

“There were certain things said at that meeting that were totally out of order.”