Details revealed about new West Sussex Premier Inn – including when it might open, as project gets underway
Work started this week to build a new hotel in Littlehampton.
Demolition of the former Waitrose supermarket in Avon Road began on Monday, November 17, to make way for the construction of a new 130-room Premier Inn.
Whitbread, which owns the hotel chain, said this week it expects the demolition work to be completed by spring 2026. And then, it is hoped the new hotel will open in the second half of 2027.
Jordan Tomkinson, Property Project Manager at Whitbread, said: “It’s an exciting week for Premier Inn in Littlehampton as we are starting the journey to deliver our brand-new hotel in the town centre.
“Our appointed demolition contractor, Haywards Heath based Dortons Group, will start to dismantle the vacant former supermarket from Monday 17th November.
“We expect it will take to the beginning of spring next year to clear the site after which time we will press on with constructing the new Premier Inn.
“The new hotel will feature our very latest bedrooms and ground floor spaces, which look fantastic, and we’re confident our presence will deliver a real boost to the town centre when we open our doors.
“During construction, residents will notice some changes around the site. The bus stop on Anchor Springs will be relocated temporarily, and we will be restricting access into the former supermarket car park during the build.
“These temporary changes are for everyone’s safety and we’re very grateful for the town’s understanding and patience as our team works to deliver the new hotel.”
The details come after we revealed last week that demolition was due to begin, and that bus stops would be temporarily relocated.
Arun councillors unanimously approved proposals for the new Premier Inn at a meeting held in August.
The hotel will have an associated restaurant, parking and landscaping, bringing new jobs and investment to the area.
The former Waitrose store has been vacant since its closure in 2015. Whitbread’s proposed redevelopment in a new Premier Inn seeks to revitalise this prominent location, bringing it into long-term use and enhancing the town centre, while meeting the growing demand for high-quality, affordable hotel accommodation on the south coast.