A PLEA from the North-West Development Agency prompted the Midland Hotel's new owners to take on the historic building, the Citizen can reveal.

Award winning regeneration specialists Urban Splash agreed to get involved after hearing of the problems of the hotel and the resort.

Tom Bloxham, the company's chairman, was contacted by NWDA chairman Bryan Gray with a request to step in and save the landmark.

Urban Splash, best known as the people behind the regeneration of Manchester's Castlefield area, revealed this week that they hope to keep the Midland as an hotel and restaurant.

A deal to buy the building is due to be completed by the end of this month, but its redevelopment could take years.

The Citizen first revealed Urban Splash's interest in the Midland last October.

"I have known the building for years, visited it on many occasions and watched its gradual decline with sadness," said Mr Bloxham this week.

"When I heard the latest restoration scheme had fallen through and Urban Splash was asked to intervene, I decided to buy the building."

He goes on: "It is a fantastic building, I hope we will be able to restore it as an hotel and restaurant, though it will be very difficult, expensive and will no doubt take several years."

Founded in 1993, Urban Splash has invested more than £100m in under-used historic buildings and brown field sites in Manchester and Liverpool. In that time it has picked up 84 awards for business success and regeneration.

The company is now moving out with schemes in Bradford, Plymouth and Birmingham.

Lancaster City Council has given a warm welcome to Urban Splash's arrival.

"This is a very welcome development," says Cllr James Airey, cabinet member for regeneration: "In Urban Splash we have an established and nationally recognised company with a strong reputation for securing development.

"We look forward to receiving their planning applications for this central Morecambe feature in due course."

Council leader Cllr Tricia Heath says: "Urban Splash's decision to buy the hotel is an important vote of confidence in the resort."

January 16, 2003 09:00