£15m expansion plans and a name change for luxury hotel

Following the hotel’s sale to Splendid Hospitality Group last year it has now been announced that the hotel will undergo a name change and developers said expansion plans have been submitted to York Council for consideration at a later date.

Work will soon begin to replace the exterior signs on what was formerly known as the Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa, as part of a major re-branding that will see it transformed into The Grand Hotel & Spa, York.

Stuart Bailey, CEO of Splendid Hospitality Group said: “This is an exciting period for The Grand and for York.

“The hotel is already acknowledged as being one of the finest in the region but, following this major investment, it will be among the finest in the country, attracting more visitors in search of a luxurious hotel stay from further afield.”

If the £15m, redevelopment plans, are backed by councillors, the proposal will see the York venue double its number of guest rooms. Tourism is a major player in York’s economy, supporting around 19,000 jobs and attracting 6.7 million visitors annually.

Last December the Visit York Tourism Insights conference was held in the city with delegates hearing how the city has its sights firmly set on attracting Chinese visitors and it has launched a campaign positioning York to tour operators across China as a must-see destination.

A report submitted by the developers in support of its proposals says: “The need for more high quality bed spaces in the city has been emphasised by the findings of the York Tourism Accommodation Study.” “Higher end hotel development, rather than additional budget accommodation is more likely to attract the audiences required, allowing the city to tap into the emerging business and conferencing market.”

It adds: “...the proposals will strengthen the York brand both internationally and within the UK, help to grow the tourism sector and wider economy.”

Splendid Hospitality Group has bought Roman House, adjacent to the hotel, which extends to Rougier Street, and wants to re-develop it as a new wing to the existing hotel to which it is already connected. As part of the new look hotel, it also intends to create a new restaurant space on what is currently an outside terrace area.

Roman House, was an office building and the report concedes that the proposals are backed then office space will be lost in the city centre.

It also acknowledges the planned redevelopment will take place in an area of archaeological importance and say the site may contain important Roman, post-Roman and medieval remains.

However those behind the project argue any remains can be safeguarded during works by attaching planning conditions to protect the site.

Maria Florou, general manager of The Grand Hotel & Spa, York, said of the expansion plans: “This is extremely good news for the local area as the new look hotel will have wider appeal, bringing more people to this fantastic city. Of course, a larger hotel will require more staff to look after more guests and we are hopeful that many of these will be recruited from the locality.”

The hotel opened in 2010 but the building dates back to 1906, when it was built as the HQ for London North Eastern Railway (LNER).