Hotel plans extended to old court and police station

The former police station, court building and fire station in Newcastle could all become Hotel Gotham

A disused court and police station in Newcastle city centre could become part of a five-star luxury hotel.

Plans were approved in 2021 to turn the fire station in Pilgrim Street into Hotel Gotham.

The city council is now being asked to approve larger plans that include the vacant Grade II listed police station and courts next door.

City planners support the scheme and said the potential harm to the buildings was outweighed by their "substantial regeneration".

The £20m plans have been put forward by Taras Properties and would see the hotel's capacity increase from 60 rooms to 90.

A bar and function room would be housed in the old magistrates' court, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Features such as the witness stand and the magistrates' bench would be incorporated into the hotel's design, if the plans are approved.

In a report to the council, planners "welcomed" the plans to bring the "historic buildings" back into use.

The development would also see part of the fire station's hose tower building demolished to make way for walkways connecting the two buildings.

Manchester’s Hotel Gotham has previously been named as among the most luxurious in Europe, offering lavish rooms costing up to £1,000 a night.

Newcastle City Council will discuss the proposal at a planning committee meeting on Friday.