Plans for a second lift shaft to serve the 64 bedrooms at Sidmouth’s first purpose-built hotel have been approved.
Owner Brend Hotels said it recognised the need to invest in the 114-year-old Victoria Hotel and the development would ‘significantly’ improve access for customers and staff, particularly in case of a breakdown of the original elevator.
The new five-storey lift will be near the centre of the hotel, replacing an unattractive laundry chute and enabling the planned maintenance of the original lift, the use of which is too heavy for the current demand.
According to the application, alternative locations have been considered, but the disruption to services and customers was considered excessive.
East Devon District Council’s conservation officer said the lift shaft would be ‘a comfortable addition’ to the hotel.
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