A popular Penrith hotel and bar has submitted plans to Eden Council to expand.
Mark Bowman, of RHM (Cumbria) Ltd, is seeking to expand the Lounge Hotel on King Street, and increase its bar facilities and accommodation offer by linking through the party wall into a neighbouring building to the rear of the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald’s office.
While the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald remains based at the King Street premises, the buildings to the rear of the site are no longer used by the company.
The owner took the decision to sell the whole site and the front of the building was then leased back to the Herald by the new owner.
RHM (Cumbria) Ltd acquired the property with a view to linking through the party wall from the Lounge at both ground and first floor levels to create additional bar and eating spaces with associated food preparation, storage and toilet accommodation and additional hotel bedrooms.
These can all be accommodated within the unused part of the premises, which will be upgraded and altered internally.
The existing Herald offices fronting on to King Street — where the newspaper continues to be produced by Barrnon Media Limited — will be sealed off and self-contained.
A statement accompanying the planning application says there are no immediate plans to convert large storage shed and garages at the rear, but one garage will be opened up to create a new access for both guests and deliveries.
It is proposed to use the external yard space for a fair weather beer garden, which will be screened with timber fencing and planting.
The existing parking area will be retained for staff of both the Lounge and Herald and guests.
As the Lounge is a listed building, a separate application is being submitted to cover the new openings between the two buildings.
