Westminster resolves to approve plans to convert Leicester Square nightclub into hotel

The upper seven floors of the eight-storey 1930s building at 1-4 Leicester Square are currently in use as the 3,400 square metre Rise nightclub. Under the proposals the roof of the building would be extended and the nightclub, and offices on the first floor of the building, would be replaced by a 142-bedroom hotel. All of the hotel rooms are proposed to be double rooms under the scheme, providing a total of 284 bed spaces.

According to a planning officer's report relating to the application, no operator has yet been agreed for the hotel, but the developer intends to provide "high quality budget accommodation, without ancillary facilities often associated with hotels such as a bar, restaurant or conference facilities".

A souvenir shop currently located at the corner of the ground floor of the building would be retained under the plans, but the remainder of the ground floor would be occupied by a 495 sq m restaurant. The current use of the basement of the building as part of an Empire cinema would continue under the proposals.

The plans were on the agenda for a meeting of the Council's planning applications committee on 2 September, having been recommended for approval subject to conditions in the planning officer's report.