Hotel could shut to become staff accommodation for another

Friday 08 September 2023

The Inn on Queen’s Road will close its doors as a hotel for the final time next month to become accommodation for Royal Yacht staff, if planning permission is given.

A planning application has been submitted by the Weighbridge hotel to convert The Inn into staff units comprising four one-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom, three three-bedroom and two four-bedroom rooms.

A statement from the Royal Yacht accompanying the application states: “The Royal Yacht and Spa has some 240 plus staff to provide accommodation for. The company has recently purchased two other properties and, with the approved extensions, this provides accommodation for 70 staff members.

“The change of use of this three-star hotel to staff accommodation with provide a further 74 bed spaces towards meeting the required bed spaces they need to ensure the hotel maintains its staff levels to provide the high-quality service that it provides.”

It is understood that Stephen Clipp, who used to own the Inn, has retired and sold the hotel. 

Commenting on the application, Marcus Calvani, Co-CEO of the Jersey Hospitality Association, said: “Firstly, we would like to thank Stephen for all that he has done for hospitality over the years and for his time spent as an active member of the JHA Committee.

"He will be very much missed, and we wish him all the best in his retirement."  

Mr Calvani added: "Employee accommodation has become one of the largest issues for our sector over the last few years, and our industry must adapt quickly to continue to operate in testing times and against substantial barriers to business.  

"It is far from ideal that an existing hotel should be turned into staff accommodation for another hotel, but the reality is that businesses are adapting and moving forward with their plans to invest in Jersey.

"Only recently planning approval was given for another hotel to increase the number of rooms it provides to its guests. It’s encouraging that confidence continues in the future of our industry and that investment is being seen within our hotels sector.” 

The Inn application is the second recent application to convert a hospitality venue into staff accommodation for the tourism sector. 

Planning is also considering an application to convert and extend the former Treehouse restaurant on La Marquanderie to create staff accommodation for tourism businesses in St. Brelade.

It comes amid growing concerns about the loss of tourist beds.

Les Ormes Managing Director Mike Graham, who recently applied to expand the holiday village, said Jersey was "falling behind" with the amount and quality of tourist accommodation it offers, warning that flight and ferry routes will decline if development in the sector isn't supported.

Pictured: The Les Ormes resort is based in St. Brelade.

"If tourism development the Island isn’t supported, we will never reach the aspiration of one million visitors per year and there would be little point in continuing to invest in Visit Jersey," he said, later adding: "Island attractions, local public transportation, and retail may all see a decline in footfall," he added.

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