Plans for a five storey extension and the opening up of the existing basement to create 10 self-contained residential units and nine holiday lets plus a spa, coffee shop, function room and conference facilities, have been lodged by the San Clu in Ramsgate.
The project would also include the creation of a new entrance and demolition of an existing extension and outbuilding.
Currently the San Clu, in Victoria Parade, has 44 rooms, bar/restaurant, sauna and gym (for staying guests) and event/banqueting services.
It reverted from the Comfort Inn to its original San Clu title last year after ownership of the hotel was taken on by sisters Hema Kanani and Rina Gandhi following the death of their father Kishore Kanani.
The sisters also launched a revamped bar and restaurant.
Kishore had owned the venue since 1989 and one of his wishes was to revert to the San Clu after some 20 years operating as the Comfort Inn.
The application for the expansion has been made by Ameeco Holiday Apartments Ltd which is owned by Hema and Rina.
The plans are for the extension to provide 19 self-contained flats, 10 would be sold on the open market while nine would be retained as holiday accommodation.
The basement which was partially infilled after a fire would be opened up to house a gym, spa, sauna and changing rooms.
At the ground floor of the Grade II listed building there would be a coffee shop, function room with bar and kitchen and a two-bedroom flat.
A planning statement says: “It is envisaged that the spa facilities, coffee shop and function room will be accessible to general members of the public, as well as the residents of the new flats and hotel.
“In addition, it is proposed to install traditionally designed railings along the entire Victoria Parade and Albert Road frontages. This would reflect the historic railings which originally marked the boundary of the site and would be considered to be a heritage benefit.”
It is also proposed to install traditionally designed railings along the entire Victoria Parade and Albert Road frontages. This would reflect the historic railings which originally marked the boundary of the site.
The application notes that the Thanet Local Plan states: “Existing hotel provision in the district caters well for the budget hotel market and this has been increasing in recent years, but Thanet is lacking in hotels at the top end of the market. There is also a shortage of family holiday accommodation.
“Hotel facilities must be attractive to tourists to capitalise on the trend for shorter breaks in the UK and demand for better overall quality and service’.
“The local plan acknowledges that other than caravan accommodation Thanet has relatively few self-catering facilities. It is therefore important to provide for new, and to protect tourist accommodation of all types and for all budgets to attract a range of staying visitors to the area. “It is submitted that the extension of the San Clu hotel and the provision of nine serviced holiday apartments would provide both high end and family holiday accommodation – this will meet a direct identified tourism need.
“The site currently benefits from a thriving and popular restaurant which is open to passing trade and hotel residents. The proposed commercial uses will operate in a similar manner and are considered to be a positive addition to this part of Ramsgate which is popular walking/cycling route with residents and tourists.”
Of the flats that would be sold, the application says: “The proposed two and one bedroom flats will be suitable for young couples or for those wanting to downsize – all the floors will be served by a lift, meaning that the flats will be accessible to those with restricted mobility.”
The San Clu currently employs 31 staff and the applicant says the expansion will create 20 further jobs plus construction employment.
The documents state: “It is clear this development will boost the local economy not only in the short term by providing construction jobs but will also provide jobs for the local community.
“The breakdown of new employees is likely to include: House keeping – 3 additional; Commercial space – 9 people (Coffee shop); Spa and gym – 1 manager (additional staff may be required); Ground level reception – 2 more people; Maintenance – increase by 1; Management – increase by 1; Kitchen – increase by 1 and night porter – 2 more people.”
The applicant will provide EV charging points, disabled parking, drop off areas and cycle storage. In addition with the demolition of the outbuilding within the car parking area, an additional six car parking spaces will be provided.
A decision on the application is yet to be made and details can be seen on Thanet council’s planning portal, reference F/TH/24/0678.
The San Clu is one of the longest standing hotels in Ramsgate, operating since 1887.
Originally called Hotel St Cloud (pronounced the French way “San Clu”) the hotel boasted over 50 bed and sitting rooms, a ladies drawing room, reading and writing rooms, smoking rooms and also stabling and space for motorcars.
On June 29, 1904 the hotel hosted an eight-course meal for Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, who was in Ramsgate for the opening of the Royal Victoria Pavilion, which had been erected in memory of her mother Queen Victoria.
In 1919, the hotel was sold for £10,000 and the name changed from St Cloud to San Clu. It changed hands twice more up to 1926 and in 1928 was gutted by fire, which destroyed the first four sections. The blaze was so great that it could be seen in Deal and Dover.
Following the fire, the burnt out shell was demolished and that section has never been rebuilt.
What was left was restored into a 14 bedroom hotel and after one year it was back in business. That section is now the reception foyer.
In 1935, the hotel was sold once again, this time to Mrs Elsie Robson, or Ma Robson, as she became affectionately known. Mrs Robson was windowed at the early age of 35 with two young sons. She ran the hotel almost single handily.
During the Second World War the Army took over and the hotel became a large billet for troops. Mrs Robson moved to Stafford where she opened a restaurant, which she named The San Clu but she returned in 1944 and regained occupancy. She then purchased a third house, giving the hotel an extra 26 rooms and towards the end of 1944 she was able to purchase the last house along Granville Terrace, bringing the hotel back to almost its original size.
The venue hosted many famous people, such as Randolph Churchill, Benny Hill, Norman Wisdom, Sir Edward Heath, MP Jonathan Atkin, Jeremy Beadle, Archbishops Long, Fisher, Ramsey and Coggan, as well as royalty from Belgium, Denmark and Thailand.
In 1973 another fire broke out, No-one was hurt but there was considerable damage meaning the hotel’s closure for three months although the bar was able to stay open during this time.
Mrs Robson passed away in 1984 aged 90 and her grandson Simon, took over the business.
In 1989, Mr Kanani bought and refurbished the hotel. Since then guests have included band “Madness” who borrowed their room key to display on the cover of their albums.
Such was the excitement of the fans that the switchboard was jammed constantly for three weeks after the release of the album, with calls coming from as far away as China from fans wanting to book the same room as Madness.
Sisters Hema and Rina took over and rebranded the site last year with a newly refurbished bar and restaurant area.
