Exclusive by Jan Thom

jthom@thekmgroup.co.uk

The landmark Coniston Hotel is to re-open in the spring following a multi-million pound revamp.

Ambitious plans to create a new four-star, 77-room hotel were revealed this week by new owners Chris Richardson and Ernie Berntsen.

And it is hoped that once re-opened, the London Road business will provide more than 50 new jobs for local people.

As well as a hotel, the revamped Coniston will act as a wedding venue, conference centre and large restaurant.

Mr Richardson and Mr Berntsen bought the property in 2006, and now their dreams of developing a top-class facility are making rapid headway.

Mr Richardson said: “This exciting project will revitalise The Coniston and its facilities.

“Although we are not losing sight of the significant role it has played within the town in the past, we intend to give it a new lease of life and reinstate its prominent position within the community once again.

“The Coniston aims to provide a meeting place for local social groups and will hopefully play a part in reuniting much of the local community.”

The original part of the building has been restored and new extensions have been built around it. External materials have been chosen to match the existing building, with bricks made from locally sourced clay and new timber sash windows to the old house.

The interior will combine natural and man-made materials.

Cutting-edge environmentally friendly features will include ground source pumps for heating and cooling, rain water will be re-cycled and the building will be very thermal efficient, cutting energy and running costs.

News of the re-opening has been welcomed by Swale council deputy leader Cllr Gerry Lewin.

He said: “We are delighted at the re-opening of the Coniston Hotel, which brings further high-quality bed space to the town.

“This will be helpful for tourism, for those who wish to explore the attractions and discover the outstanding beauty of the green spaces in the area, and for business tourism as the regeneration of the town takes place.

“ I believe the hotel will also have function rooms which will serve the community well as these can be used for meetings for local societies and associations. We are delighted at the renovation.”

The original Coniston house was built as a private residence in 1880 and there are still a few original features. It was extended to become a 40-bedroom hotel in the 1950s and grew in size to 66 beds in the 1970s.

It traded as The Coniston Hotel for over 100 years and was the only hotel in Sittingbourne, regarded as the hub of the community.

In January 2003 it was bought by Accommodata, which signed a Government contract to house asylum seekers there.

But the plan was shelved after stormy protests from local residents over the failure of the goverment to consult them.

Facilities will include:

• Large restaurant seating 120 people including a private dining area;
• Conference and banqueting facilities that will have five syndicate rooms which can be configured for multi-purpose use;
• Traditional ballroom with theatre-style seating for up to 300 and floor space for between 150 and 180;
• State-of-the art room technology, air conditioining and sound proofing;
• 69 rooms and eight suites;
• Two acres of landscaped gardens.