High Street Hospitality reveals £6.5 million leisure development plans

A property developer has revealed £6.5 million plans to deliver a new County Durham hotel and transform a city centre building.

High Street Hospitality is investing £4.5 million in a 1.5-acre plot on the DurhamGate retail project at Thinford, near Spennymoor.

It has also acquired 19-21 Collingwood Street, in Newcastle, where it is proposing to turn the building into one of the “most exciting hotel, dining and leisure experiences.”

At DurhamGate, High Street Hospitality says it will construct a 42-bedroom hotel with restaurant and bar facilities, with work expected to start in August. It hopes the facility will open next summer.

It will become the third in the company’s Hotel 52 chain – the others being in Whitley Bay and Stanley, County Durham.

However, it has also acquired the Sea Hotel, in South Shields, carrying out a £1.4 million refurbishment; The Parkmore Hotel in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, which is undergoing a £1 million facelift, and the Three Horse Shoes, in Washington, where there are plans to build 58 bedrooms in the grounds.

All three will operate outside the Hotel 52 brand.

In Newcastle, a planning application has been lodged with the city council for permission to renovate and change the use of 19-21 Collingwood Street, which is currently office space.

Its proposals include four floors of hotel accommodation with 13 individually-themed boutique rooms.

Also planned is The Boardwalk Brasserie – a 1920s-themed restaurant with classic décor.

The top floor would become The Terrace at Metropolitan House Hotel, an indoor/outdoor space with a half retractable roof.

The Studios, in the basement, will include two large karaoke booths and a sing star booth.

Referring to its Collingwood Street plans, managing director Phill Brumwell said: “This is a fine old building in the heart of Newcastle, which has tremendous potential to be a real focus for a very different leisure and entertainment venue than what is currently on offer.

“We have a vision to create high-quality hotel, restaurant and family-friendly facilities, with a fully-rounded experience for all generations.”

High Street Hospitality also operates 15 food, beverage and leisure venues.  It is part of The High Street Group of companies, which is based in Stockbridge House and was established by Gary Forrest in 2006.

It has grown to become a leading financial and property group employing around 350 people in activities including large-scale property development and construction, hospitality and leisure.