Agenda item

(To receive a report by Mary Powell (Tourism Manager), which describes the work that Lincolnshire County Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership have done to understand what should be done to attract more hotels to the county)

Consideration was given to a report by Mary Powell (Tourism Officer), which described the work that the County Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) in understanding what should be done to attract more hotels to the county.

The Tourism Officer advised that the shortage of visitor accommodation in Lincolnshire had been of concern for some time.  The report referred to the original Hotel Demand Study of 2008, which had subsequently led to new hotels in Lincoln (the Hilton Double Tree and the Premier Inn). 

It was advised that Lincolnshire was notably missing a luxury hotel brand/spa, with only three 4 star hotels within the whole of the region: DoubleTree by Hilton in Lincoln; Belton Woods Hotel in Grantham; and Forest Pines near Brigg. 

It was highlighted that high occupancy rates across Greater Lincolnshire did not necessarily encourage the sector to invest in the area.  Therefore, in 2016 through funding from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP), it was decided to commission a refresh of the 2008 Hotel Demand Study, which would focus on identifying locations across Greater Lincolnshire that were suitable for hotel investment; examine the current supply of serviced accommodation; recommend solutions to the removal of the apparent barriers to development and provide evidence to present to potential hotel investors. The findings of the Greater Lincolnshire Hotel Study were detailed within the report to the Committee.

The Committee was provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted: -

·         It was confirmed that the sector was interested in both the visitor and business markets, as this would ensure occupancy rates were consistently high across the week;

·         It was advised that the sector deemed Lincoln to be borderline in its ability to sustain the market for some hotel brands, due to the relative weakness of the corporate market.  Therefore it was difficult to compete with other locations such as York;

·         It was also confirmed that the county and district tourism officers worked in collaboration.  However, there was a list of nine points on page 59 of the agenda pack, which detailed how local authorities could support hotel development in Greater Lincolnshire;

·         It was noted that from May 2019 an increased number of direct trains would be introduced between Lincoln and London.  It was acknowledged that rail links and the introduction of more direct trains were an important aspect in encouraging visitor and business markets to Lincolnshire;

·         It was hoped that an additional 2 - 3 hotels would be developed across Greater Lincolnshire as a result of the study;

·         A Councillor commented that there was a need for additional accommodation in Boston.  In response, it was highlighted that the report had stated there was potential for a budget hotel / pub lodge within the areas of Skegness; Boston; Spalding and Sleaford;

·         It was acknowledged that there were a high number of customers which was loyal to a particular hotel brand. The Committee discussed potential ways in which this could be introduced in Lincolnshire;

·         It was confirmed that the Bishop Grosseteste University and Lincoln University let out its accommodation in the summer months.  Further to this it was suggested that Lincolnshire's agri-tourism should be encouraged; and

·         It was suggested that an action plan was developed and presented to a future meeting of Committee in two-three months.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the work being undertaken to attract hotel development in Greater Lincolnshire and the associated barriers attracting development due to the county's size and population be supported.

(2)  That further discussions with developers and the ongoing work to attract hotel development in Greater Lincolnshire be endorsed.

(3)  That an action plan be produced and presented to a future meeting of the Committee in two-three months.