Hotel plan would keep brewery's historic face

THE former Guernsey Brewery could become a 60-bedroom hotel. Development company ComProp has submitted plans to the Environment Department for the landmark site.

Chief executive Nigel Jones said it would enhance and regenerate the Town seafront.

'This is the most prestigious hotel site on the island, benefiting from arguably the finest views, yet within walking distance of the Town centre,' said Mr Jones.

The developer plans to rejuvenate and restore the existing granite-faced building and construct a freshly-designed section.

Mr Jones said the scheme would include extensive on-site parking and address what is perceived to be a shortage of high-quality bed space in the Town centre.

In January 2002 the Guernsey Brewery made a representation to the Urban Area planning inquiry asking for the area to be rezoned to allow for a future application to be considered.

ComProp chairman Tom Scott backed the latest plans for the site.

'Things keep changing,' he said.

'A lot of flats have gone up over the years and we have to take a view as to how many are required.

'We are putting plans in for it but what we need is consultation with the planners.'

The brewery's more-recent extensions would be redeveloped but the granite buildings would be retained. Extensive refurbishing and remodelling would provide function or reception areas on the ground floor and a restaurant would be installed on the fourth.

BAS Architects has been appointed to design it and the developer expects the project to take about two years to complete.

ComProp parent company CI Traders holds a States-granted casino licence but Mr Scott refused to be drawn on whether the brewery

site would be suitable for such a facility.

'We might think so, but the States might have another idea,' he said.