Major new hotel planned to tower over Friargate

The Caxton Hotel would be situated in Marsh Lane, just off Friargate

A new hotel in Preston is due to be built alongside student flats.

Derelict buildings in Marsh Lane – between Friargate and Corporation Street – would be demolished.

William Caxton’s bust used to be fixed to the building and the printer will give his name to the new hotel.

Caxton's head had been fixed to the buildings which are now abandoned Pic: Tony Worrall — Caxton’s head had been fixed to the buildings which are now abandoned Pic: Tony Worrall

The Caxton hotel and restaurant is planned to be 63 bedrooms and nine-storeys tall.

PWA Planning have tabled the proposals on behalf of Ascena Developments.

It would be a ‘digital’ hotel, with rooms accessed via smartphone and allow ‘app-driven’ LED lighting and sound.

On the ground floor would be a 90-seat restaurant and bar area.

A statement from PWA Planning said: “These state-of-the-art plans for one of the UK’s first dedicated E-Hotels will help further establish Preston as a forward thinking and ambitious city within the north west of England.

“The design team feel that contemporary and large scale additions to the skyline of the city should be embraced and encouraged to help further enhance the architectural quality of the cityscape.”

The Caxton Hotel would be built alongside the current Tramshed student accommodation.

You can see the full proposals on the Preston City Council website.

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