BRIDGWATER'S former Aldi superstore in Eastover will be turned into an events and conference centre after plans for the building were approved.

In February, DC Hotels (Bridgwater) Ltd applied to convert the building so it can be used for events including weddings, conferences, exhibitions and seminars.

Somerset Council approved the proposals on Thursday, May 25.

The plans will see the former supermarket floor divided into smaller spaces including an entrance lobby, bar/lounge, kitchen and three event rooms.

Once open, the events centre will become an “integral part” of the operations of the neighbouring Mercure Hotel, which opened in 2018.

Bridgwater Mercury: A connected planning application that would see the Mercure hotel expanded has been submitted to Somerset Council.A connected planning application that would see the Mercure hotel expanded has been submitted to Somerset Council. (Image: Newsquest)

When the plans were lodged, the applicant said: “The proposed events centre will deliver a contemporary events space that will support and diversify the level of attractions and amenities in the town centre.

“The design of the Aldi store is rather uninspiring and requires modernisation and upgrade.

“The proposal for the events centre primarily relates to the reconfiguration and refurbishment of the internal space.

“The existing single-space retail use will be reconfigured to a series of smaller areas within the building envelope of the existing building.

“The design provides flexible and adaptable spaces to maximise it its utilisation and accommodate future requirements.

“The façade upgrades will tie in with the design of the Mercure Hotel and reflects the wider vision to regenerate the area.”

Aldi relocated to Northgate in October 2020, leaving the building vacant.

DC Hotels has now lodged a connected planning application to build a five-storey extension to the neighbouring Mercure Hotel. 

The second planning application was submitted on June 6, although details about the Mercure extension were included in the initial events centre plans.

The scheme would see the hotel extended westward along Eastover.

This would allow the introduction of 14 guest apartments, one more standard room and commercial space on the ground floor. 

Bridgwater Mercury: The extension would add 14 guest apartments, one standard room and commercial space on the ground floor.The extension would add 14 guest apartments, one standard room and commercial space on the ground floor. (Image: Newsquest)

The application said: “The economic impact of the introduction of these proposals would be a positive one, as hotel apartments and the events centre would introduce new customer groups into Bridgwater to support and utilise local amenities and commercial facilities.

“In terms of its features, the proposed hotel extension forms a continuation of the principal hotel elevation along Eastover, therefore creating a strong building frontage.

“The proposed extension to the existing Mercure Hotel will diversify the type of accommodation on offer, providing long-stay aparthotel accommodation and an additional standard guest room.

“The development will provide a total of 120 guest rooms and 14 apartments associated with the hotel.

“The increase will address existing and future demand for tourists, visitors and business clients to Bridgwater town centre and the wider region.”

Vehicles would be able to access the car park for the hotel and conference centre through the existing undercroft from Eastover and from the A38 Broadway.

A former access route to the former Aldi car park from Eastover would be “stopped up and its use discontinued”.

There would be a revised car parking configuration with a total of 96 spaces, including six for electric vehicle charging and nine for people with disabilities, plus a total of 14 cycle parking spaces and a landscaped garden area.

The plans for the extension of the hotel can be viewed on the Somerset Council planning portal (application number 08/23/00169).

Comments are being welcomed until July 11.