Restoration work to revive what was one of Preston’s grandest hotels could soon move forward.

The Park Hotel, overlooking Avenham and Miller Parks, is due to see a multi-million pound refurbishment.

Lancashire County Council’s development control committee will hear proposals from Cassidy + Ashton and the Frank Whittle Partnership.

They want to turn the current offices into a 156-bedroom four-star hotel adding a new spa, banqueting pavilion and office.

In 2016 the future of the building was secured when the county council sold the Park Hotel to the Local Pensions Partnership, a collaboration between the county council and the London Pensions Fund Authority.

The current neighbouring concrete office building is due to be demolished under the scheme, and be replacing with a new building with bedrooms, conference facilities, a lounge bar and a gym.

A 500-seat banqueting pavilion overlooking Miller Park would also be added.

Project architect at Cassidy + Ashton Chris Taylor said: “We have designed a scheme that adds a much-needed four star hotel to Preston hospitality provision for both business guests and tourists.

“Perhaps as important, we are restoring a major city landmark to its former glory and by adding wedding, conference and spa facilities for hotel guests and the public we will be creating a lot of new jobs in the hospitality sector.”

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Managing partner at FWP David Robinson said: “Protecting heritage assets is important to the culture of a city and Preston has many fine civic and private buildings to be proud of.

“Some are being reimagined and improved like the new market hall, the Harris museum and library or the bus station.

“Others, like the Guild Hall entertainment complex or the old central post office, have been taken into private hands and given a new lease of life.

“The Park Hotel is one of the most prominent landmarks visitors see when arriving into Preston by rail from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds or Liverpool. Knowing the distinctive red brick building is a luxury hotel immediately tells them Preston is an ambitious, forward-looking city.”

The county council’s development control committee are due to hear the plans on Wednesday 23 January.

Opening in 1882 – a Guild Year – the hotel cost £40,000 to build.

It was owned and operated jointly by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and London and North Western Railway.

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