From the Dover Mercury, 13 April 2022. By Sam Lennon.

‘International’ hotel could replace old Co-op.

A former food store could be replaced by a hotel.

Dover District Council’s (DDC) cabinet has agreed to pursue a project to build an ‘international brand hotel’ on the site of the former Co-operative store in Stembrook, Dover.

The building is already in the process of being knocked down.

The project had been discussed in private session at the council meeting on Monday last week.

But minutes released since then said: “It was agreed that support to progress options for the development of a new large, high-quality international brand hotel, with additional commercial opportunities and accompanying car parking, be approved.”

It was also agreed that a development partner would be sought and use could be looked for in the interim.

The cabinet also agreed that a collective called the Redevelopment of Stembrook Project Advisory Group, chaired by DDC leader Trevor Bartlett, would steer the project.

Further details of the hotel itself are not yet confirmed - including which chain could move in or how big it would be.

The site is close to the existing "Travelodge," at St James’, and "Premier Inn," in Marine Parade.

The Co-op, previously a Somerfield foodstore, opened in July 2010 and closed in February 2017. DDC took ownership of the building in April 2018 as part of its town centre regeneration plans. In March 2019, it was formally opened as the Co-Innovation Centre, a hub for small start-up businesses for them to grow there and move to their own premises. That centre closed on August 13 last year when the lease ran out and Co-Innovation two months later moved to the former McDonald’s restaurant in Biggin Street. It remains there at present.

A DDC spokesman said: “The council is considering a range of options for the use of the former Co-op, one of which is for a hotel. This is at a very early stage, and it is too early to confirm details at this point.”