Extension at historic Eastgate Hotel will create 17 bedrooms

Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel is a former 17th century coaching inn close to the university’s Examination Schools and Magdalen Tower.

The hotel currently offers 64 bedrooms but wants to expand so it can remain as competitive as possible and cater for the high demand for hotel beds, particularly in the peak tourist season.

But in April hotel bosses were left disappointed when their amended plans for the extension were rejected by the city council which was concerned that alterations would damage its surroundings.

The extension at the back of the hotel, which is situated at the junction with Merton Street, was approved in 2017 but amendments were applied for earlier this year.

The city rejected the proposed changes claiming they would ‘materially diminish the originally approved design’.

The extension’s overall ridge height, eaves height and internal floor to ceiling height would have increased by between 39cm and 40cm.

Hotel general manager Peter Watt said the plan to build the extension ‘has not been shelved’ and would continue to be overseen by the hotel company, which runs hotels at other cities in the UK and across Europe.

Rooms division manager Malcolm Hood said: “The project is still on track - Oxford is so short of bed spaces.

“The plan was to start building this year after students’ exams.

“We are pretty much fully booked - June has been strong and July is looking fantastic.

“Every hotel in Oxford would like to be able to offer more bedrooms.”

In April planning officers added the new design would not ‘respond appropriately’ to its place in the Central Conservation Area and proximity to listed buildings.

A report on the council’s website added: “It is considered that the less than substantial harm is not outweighed in this case by any public benefits.”

Oxford University’s Examination Schools in High Street had also raised concerns about noise and disturbance during exam periods.

The council had imposed a condition ensuring no work would take place when exams were being sat.

The hotel boasts a choice of rooms including 'classic and privilege options'.

Those looking for an extra special trip should consider the deluxe suite, which overlooks Oxford High Street.

In a recent online review one visitor wrote that the hotel was ‘a good quiet hotel in an excellent location’.

He added that the room could have been better and claimed he could not find any drawers or shelves for his clothes.

Mr Watt responded online, saying: “We are looking at how we can enhance the service/offer in our bedrooms.”

Work has started on a £15m easyHotel in Banbury Road, Summertown.

Principal contractor Acheson has now started demolition work at the site. A Premier Inn is also to open opposite the Westgate Centre, plus a Marriott is being built in Paradise Street.