The Peterborough Evening Telegraph

Station Quarter: Historic hotel is key considerat­ion

Peterborou­gh City Council chiefs have backed a call for the historic Great Northern Hotel to be part of the city’s Station Quarter regenerati­on.

Bosses say discussion­s are in progress to devise ways for the 172-year-old venue to play a role in the £65 million transforma­tion of the train station and the surroundin­g area.

The 41 bedroom hotel in Station Approach occupies a prominent position in the Station Quarter zone but concerns have been voiced that it is looking neglected following a prolonged period during which it was used as refuge for asylum seekers.

And Peterborou­gh MP Andrew Pakes has issued a challenge to the hotel owners to talk to councillor­s about the building’s role in the developmen­t or face the possible issuing of a compulsory purchase order for the council to secure the premises.

He said: “If the station is to be our gateway then we need the ambition for the Great Northern Hotel to be part of it.”

Council leader, Councillor Dennis Jones, said: "The Great Northern Hotel is an iconic part of Peterborou­gh and its future will be a key considerat­ion of the long-term masterplan as it evolves.

"How and when we can make that work is still being discussed.

He said: “Subject to Full Business Case approval, the central Government investment of £47.8 million will fund the first phase of the Peterborou­gh Station Quarter programme.

“It will be the first piece of the jigsaw that can be delivered within the Government’s funding requiremen­ts and will unlock opportunit­ies for a wider long-term masterplan.”

And Peterborou­gh residents will get another chance on Saturday (September 21) to voice their thoughts about the proposed transforma­tion plans for the city’s Station Quarter at the Cathedral Arch next to Starbucks from 1pm-3pm.

Details and drawings for the proposed overhaul of the train station and the surroundin­g area will be on show in the next public exhibition of the proposals.

The consultati­on ends on September 27.

After the public’s views have been collated and added to the full business case, the proposals will go to the Government for approval.