A HOTEL in the centre of Cirencester has been given permission to extend, providing an extra 14 bedrooms above the former premises of Bensons for Beds.

The Kings Head Hotel, which is owned by Bespoke Hotels, had its application for a change of use of the first, second and third floors of the building from retail to create an additional nine bedrooms, passed by planners at Cotswold District Council on January 11.

The hotel has also been given permission to build a single storey first floor rear extension to provide an additional five hotel bedrooms.

No dedicated parking was included as part of the plans.

The Town Council has stated that the ground floor will continue as retail, still believed to be Joules although the fashion retailer could not confirm if this move was still going ahead.

In a business care report submitted along with the plans, Tim Spittles, General Manager at the Kings Head Hotel , said: “Operationally the hotel has been trading at an average occupancy over the last two years at a level which indicates that there is a strong demand for high quality bedrooms that needs to be me within Cirencester.

“It is also a clear indication that at peak trading periods the Kings Head is unable to satisfy demand and business is having to be declined.”

He continued: “Strategically and financially, the success of the Kings Head Hotel, has been hampered by the relatively low number of bedrooms that it currently offers.”

Cotswold District Council planners, with the backing of the Town Council, decided that the proposed work would generate “additional footfall of customers within the commercial centre of Cirencester that would contribute to the vitality and viability of the town centre.”