The boss of the company that will run a new boutique hotel at Greenwich Market has spoken out about his plans for the venture.
Robin Sheppard, Chairman of Bespoke Hotels, has told boutiquehotels.co.uk that he wants to work with local people to make the project a success.
The proposal to redevelop the market and add a new 100 room hotel was initially thrown out unanimously by Greenwich Council’s Planning Board.
Local landlords, Greenwich Hospital, got this decision overturned, in spite of continued opposition, by taking a revised scheme to Independent Appeal.
Sheppard acknowledges that the planning process was “a difficult time” but adds that it’s “very important … that we work with the traders and the people of Greenwich.”
“Greenwich is such a beautiful place, there is so much history but as far as I can see it does not have much nightlife.”, he adds.
During the appeal procedure, concerns were raised that the noise of the market would be a problem for guests at the hotel but Sheppard maintains that “guests will be able to look down on the market, but the roof will act as an extra sound buffer.”
Bespoke Hotels is also the operator of the award winning Bermondsey Square Hotel. The full interview with Robin Sheppard can be read at boutiquehotels.co.uk
Work on the redevelopment project will begin in January 2013 and is expected to take a year.