Plans for a new 161 bedroom hotel in a dilapidated 1960’s office block will give Archway a welcome boost, a business group said.
A £12million proposal to turn the eight-storey Hamyln House, in Highgate Hill, into a Premier Inn go before an Islington Council planning committee on Tuesday.
If it gets the nod work on the transformation is expected to start next year with the hotel opening Autumn 2015, creating 40 jobs for people living locally.
Hak Huseyin, vice-chair of the Archway Town Centre Management Group (ATCMG) claims the jobs and visitors brought by the new hotel are vital to the area.
He said: “We have an awful lot of empty buildings in Archway and we need to people back in the area.
“In my language, Premier Inn is not a mickey mouse company. It’s a big brand and getting that in Archway is just fantastic.
“To my knowledge it will create 40 jobs, tied locally, and the building work will be locally sourced. It’s great.”
The work will create a restaurant on the first floor and 73 parking spaces as well as complety re-clad the building and demolish the first floor link bridge.
Mr Huseyin said: “It’s a complete face lift, and they have listened to he concerns of people in the area.
“Having all those people staying here is a huge bonus. Our eateries are fantastic and people from the hotel will go and visit them. The night time economy will improve.
“I can’t see any down side.
Archway is earmarked for a number of regeneration projects which include getting rid of the much-hated gyratory system.
Speaking when the plan weas unveiled last year Derek Griffin, from parent company Whitbread, said: “The scheme has evolved during our discussions with the council and local community.
“We are grateful for the constructive involvement of officers and Better Archway Forum, and the local business support for the proposals.
“Our development will bring a new use to a redundant office building, help to improve the environment of Archway and offer new job opportunities for local people.”
For more information call 0800 019 2054 or email info@pihamlynhouse.co.uk.
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