Tourism chiefs hail plans to transform redundant hotel

The ambitious project to re-open the Talbot Hotel in Malton is due to begin this summer if planning permission is secured.

It is hoped that the development, which is expected to cost several millions of pounds, will create up to 25 jobs.

Managers from the Fitzwilliam Estate, which has owned the hotel for more than 200 years, have briefed members of Ryedale District Council and town councillors about the proposals.

The move has been welcomed by Welcome to Yorkshire’s Chief Executive Gary Verity, who said the re-opening of the hotel would help bolster the area’s hugely important tourism industry.

Mr Verity added: “The hotel, as a business, will create jobs for local people, both directly and indirectly, whilst making a significant contribution to the local economy.

“The rationale for the development plan wholly supports Welcome to Yorkshire’s long-term strategy.”

The business closed in the autumn last year after English Rose Hotels ended its 21-year lease, blaming escalating running costs and low occupancy rates.

The Fitzwilliam Estate is aiming the hotel at the mid-range market with 26 en suite rooms costing between £85 and £230 a night.

Estate manager Roddy Bushell agreed that the redevelopment would lead to changes to the building, although he stressed the alterations were critical to the future success of the business.

Work on the listed building could get under way in the summer if planning permission is secured, before the hotel re-opens at the start of next year.

It is the latest regeneration scheme earmarked for Malton, which is due to see millions of pounds spent on transforming the town centre.

The Yorkshire Post revealed on Monday that an announcement is due to be made in the summer about relocating the town’s historic livestock market to a site on the edge of Malton.

The move will pave the way for a proposed redevelopment of the current market site with a food store, retail units and extra car parking.

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