Historic Penrith hotel where Bonnie Prince Charlie once stayed set to expand

Everbright Hotels is planning a number of enhancements to the George Hotel on Devonshire Road after its proposals were approved by Eden District Council

The proposed works consist of modifications to several sections of the existing building, split up into three parts.

Firstly, the plans outline a vision to reconfigure the reception and bar space including a knock through to the adjacent shop and converting that into a new bar area.

Secondly, the developers plan to convert the existing garages at the back of the building into an accessible hotel room and convert the one-bedroomed self-contained apartment above into two additional en-suite bedrooms.

And finally, the scheme will see 48 Burrowgate (the gatehouse) turned into additional bedrooms. The vacant space will include four bedrooms – three with a shared bathroom and one with an en-suite.

According to the applicants, the main aim of the project is to provide a “central destination for tourist engagement, better facilities for residents and a more diverse mix of hotel room accommodation, benefiting the hotel and the local economy.”

They added: “The work will enhance the high street and create an increased presence for the George Hotel.

"This more inviting frontage will not affect the building's listing as it is being carried out on the adjacent shop front and not the main building itself. The increase in capacity for the main bar and the additional hotel rooms will add more footfall to the high street and contribute to the economy of the local area and businesses.”

The vast majority of the proposal focuses on the internal space of the building and has limited impact on the building's heritage. However, the applicants stress that there will be “no changes to the main facade of the hotel with all proposed alterations taking place on the adjacent shop unit”.

“All alterations aim to retain the existing street scene.”