AMBITIOUS plans have been drawn up to open a youth hostel in Alnwick.
The former Social Services offices in Green Batt have been earmarked for the 60-bed, four-star hostel.
Alnwick Community Development Trust, which is behind the scheme, hopes it will help address the recognised shortage of accommodation, particular
ly in the budget range, in the area.
"This is an exciting project for Alnwick and an important one for the Trust," said Carys Thomas, Trust chairman.
Trustees agreed at a meeting on Monday night to proceed with the project.
The Green Batt building, owned by Northumberland County Council, is Grade II listed and would require extensive refurbishment.
Grant applications for both purchase of the building and the renovation are being considered by the Northumberland Strategic Partnership (NSP) and One North East and the Trust hopes to have a response in early December.
"There is a lot of support from the NSP on this – they are keen on the project," said Carys.
The lack of accommodation in Alnwick was one of the findings of the Retail Distinctiveness and Market Town Welcome studies in 2008.
And the new chief executive of Alnwick Garden and Castle, Christian Perdrier, was quick to point out the shortage of beds in the town.
It is hoped the hostel will attract student groups, families, couples, independent travellers and even senior citizens.
Talks will be held with the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) next month to decide whether the proposed hostel could be run by the Trust under the YHA banner, by the YHA itself or by a third party.
The existing youth hostel at Wooler, which is run by the Glendale Gateway Development Trust, has been used as one of the models, along with a new one being developed at Berwick.
