Popular backpacking hostel could house hotel staff

Kendal Hostel could be turned into staff accommodation for a hotel chain, if plans are approved

Plans have been submitted to convert a popular backpacking hostel into hotel staff accommodation.

The building, in Kendal, Cumbria, is Grade II listed and earlier this year was put up for sale.

English Lakes Hotels, which owns two hotels near Windermere, has submitted the houses in multiple occupation (HMO) plans to Westmorland and Furness Council.

A consultation, which closed last week, received one objection.

The building, which is close to Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre, was originally a youth hostel and was opened by the Princess Royal in 1987.

Since 2011, it has been run as a family business with capacity for 46 guests, but earlier this year was put on the market with an asking price of £775,000.

Now, English Lakes Hotels says it will lease the property on a long-term basis and wants to use the building as accommodation for its staff working at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa on the shores of Windermere.

'Important local landmark'

English Lakes Hotels said that very minor alterations inside the building, which is in Kendal's conservation area, were needed to comply with HMO regulations.

A spokesperson added: "Nothing is agreed yet as [it is] pending the approval for change of use to a HMO."

Elsewhere in Cumbria, other hotel chains have applied to convert holiday accommodation into HMOs for staff, with one saying that "almost every job applicant" needed accommodation to be provided.

Recent figures from Cumbria Tourism show that recruitment for hospitality and tourism businesses in the county is a major concern, with 83% reporting difficulties hiring staff.

Denise Thompson, chair of Kendal Business Improvement District, welcomed the proposals.

"We have a real need for affordable housing in our area, especially for single income households," she said.

The planning documents say that the changes to the building will provide three bedsits and 15 bedrooms, with no alterations to the hostel's exterior.

The objection came from Kendal Town Council, which called it an "important local landmark" and said it was worried the proposed changes would "compromise the building's future use and conservation".

Planners at Westmorland and Furness Council will now consider the proposals.