The hotel was originally expected to be open by Christmas
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The Lake District National Park's first Premier Inn may not be open in time for Christmas, according to information on the chain's own website.
In October, it was revealed construction of Keswick's first hotel by the nationwide hotel giant was 'on track'. However, a January opening date is now being advertised by Premier Inn, despite bosses saying the business would be open 'before Christmas'.
The opening date is shown as January 9, 2023, which is a "guide date" according to a Premier Inn spokesman. Customers are currently unable to book a room on any date.
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A Premier Inn spokesman has said that the date is for "guidance" purposes – but were not in a position to confirm whether the hotel would be open before December 25. They added: "We have a fantastic team recruited and we’re looking forward to the hotel playing a long and positive role in Keswick."
The new 71-bedroom hotel is located on High Hill in Keswick and has created up to 30 permanent and flexible job opportunities.
The hotel is located on the former site of the Ravensfield Residential Care Home and will provide 29 customer parking spaces including four disabled bays charged at £10 per night and is a short walk from Keswick town centre. It is adjacent to the River Greta and is also less than a 10-minute drive from Derwentwater.
Permission for the hotel was granted by the Lake District National Park Authority in October 2020 despite a strong public campaign against it, that was backed by Keswick Town Council. The Keswick Premier Inn hotel will offer a range of bedrooms, including 12 enhanced Premier Plus and family rooms.
Concerns included changing the heritage of Keswick and pushing the town's infrastructure to the limits. A petition against the plans gained thousands of signatures.
Construction started in October 2021. Karl Hetherington, manager of the new Premier Inn Keswick, said in October: “With autumn upon us we are really pushing on with recruitment for the new Keswick Premier Inn. We have already appointed an excellent new management team to run the new hotel with me.
"We offer loads of flexibility as a brand and as a community hotelier we are also keen for as many Keswick residents and those living in the wider area to join us as possible.”
CumbriaLive has contacted Premier Inn parent company Whitbread for comment
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