A FORMER Leamington hotel is set to be turned into student accommodation.
The Thomas James Hotel on Bath Street is to have its 17 en-suite rooms converted into 18 rooms for local students.
The hotel – which is above TJ’s bar and restaurant – says it has been forced to close due to competition from other town centre hotels.
The bar on the ground floor and basement will remain open.
But the three upper floors will be converted, with six rooms on each floor along with communal kitchen and living area.
A spokesman for the hotel said: “There is continuing demand for student housing particularly to the southern end of Leamington which has a detrimental impact upon adjacent residential neighbours and on the supply of housing in general.
“This application proposes locating the student accommodation in a main commercial area to avoid any impact upon residential areas and the change of use from hotel will also mean there will be no loss of much needed housing in the south of Leamington.”
