Planning permission has been granted to start work on the construction of a brand new purpose built hotel on Boroughbridge Road in Ripon that will create employment and attract new overnight leisure visitors to the city.
Situated close to the racecourse and overlooking the canal, the new 45 bedroom hotel will provide a 50 per cent boost to the town’s hotel accommodation that is in great demand during the peak tourist season and key race meetings.
The new venture, that will create up to 20 new full and part time jobs will be built by local businessmen Andrew and Jonathan Lupton and is expected to be operated by one of several potential hotel brands once negotiations are concluded. The duo manage their family business ECON Engineering Ltd, the city’s largest employer that is based just a stone’s throw from the site of the new venture.
Councillor George Pickles:
Ripon needs more overnight tourism and a boost of 45 beds is worth a massive amount of additional spending to the local economy every year.
Councillor Stuart Martin:
This will be one of the biggest leisure investments in Ripon for some years, and to create 20 new jobs in a climate such as this is a very welcome initiative.
The site has been granted permission for a two storey hotel, with restaurant bar and leisure facilities on site, as well as car parking. Although negotiations with potential hoteliers is at an early stage, it is expected that the hotel is likely to be a three star property, or similar standard.
Jonathan Lupton added:
We haven’t finalised the designs as we are still establishing who will be the best hotel partner for us and the town, but we expect to be able to name a tenant in the next few months and provide more detail and estimates for an opening date.
Property agent Matthew Tootell of GVA in Leeds has been appointed to manage the negotiations with potential hotel partners.
From left, architect Kevin Baker, Councillor Stuart Martin, Councillor George Pickles and property agent Matthew Tootell
