A Grade II-listed hotel in the heart of Carlisle could be transformed into a major chain.

Plans have been submitted to convert the County Hotel, on Botchergate, into an 84-room Holiday Inn Express.

The proposals, which have been put to Carlisle City Council, include "a full refurbishment of all floors to upgrade the accommodation in line with current standards".

A design and access statement written by architects ICA Ltd on behalf of the applicant - The Cairn Group - states: "The hotel will consist of 84 bedrooms including twin, double and family-sized rooms.

"Amendments to the proposed layouts will improve circulation routes around the building and improve fire escape routes."

It adds: "As part of the Intercontinental Hotel Group the new County Hotel will provide accommodation for both business and family/leisure clients.

"At the core of the brand is a contemporary colour palette which will be brought to life with cosy textures and warmth.

"Bedrooms are provided with a consistency within the existing building fabric.

"Reception areas will be designed to incorporate the local surroundings and history of the grade II-listed building along with the hotel brand requirements."

Plans add that the hotel, which opened as the Red Lion Hotel at the turn of the 19th century, will contribute to tourism in the city and "support the vibrant cultural commercial life of the city".

The existing main entrance would be retained, while a new rear entrance would also be created for those arriving at the hotel in taxis or cars.

A design and access statement accompanies the application for full planning permission and listed building consent.

It says the ground floor would have a reception area, front of house and seven bedrooms, first floor 33 bedrooms, second floor 27 bedrooms, third floor 15 bedrooms and fourth floor two bedrooms.


Two similar applications have been submitted to the city council. This is one (no 17/0635) and this is the other (no 17/0636)


The design statement outlines the history of the sandstone building.

It says The County Hotel was formerly the Red Lion Hotel.

The Boustead family of butchers owned a chain of shops in Carlisle and the Red Lion was originally a tavern built as a sideline to their prospering business.

The hotel passed down through the family and in 1916 was nationalised and came under the control of the Carlisle and District state management scheme.

Under this scheme various upgrades and alterations took place in the 1930s.

In 1973 the management scheme was abandoned and all properties were sold off - the same year the Lion closed.

The building re-opened as the County Hotel.