Council checks out new hotel for Swanley

Published: Tuesday, 30th September 2025

Sevenoaks District Councillors are considering building a new hotel in Swanley to support local businesses, the wider economy and deliver town centre regeneration.

The Council’s early proposals would see the construction of a mid-range hotel, with up to 110 rooms and a restaurant, at Bevan Place. The site was home to the Working Men’s Club before it closed permanently. It was purchased by the Council in 2015 with the aim of delivering a financially viable scheme, which protects and enhances the vitality of the town centre.

A new hotel would support local businesses by bringing visitors in to the town, and support wider tourism and the District’s visitor economy. At least 21 full-time hotel jobs would also be created.

Studies carried out for the Council have identified a gap in the local market for a mid-range hotel.

Major hotel brands, who would manage the hotel on behalf of the Council, have already shown interest in the proposal.

Subject to approvals, the hotel could be operational by November 2028. The total project costs are estimated to be £18.5 million.

Cllr Michael Horwood, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet Member for Improvement and Innovation, says: “This is an exciting and much needed project for this important site in the heart of Swanley. It will provide a welcome boost to our local economy, whilst greatly benefiting many of our tourism and hospitality venues in the north of Sevenoaks District.”

The hotel scheme was recommended for approval by the Council’s Improvement and Innovation Advisory Committee on 11 September and Cabinet on 18 September 2025. It will now be considered by Council on 18 November 2025. If approved, the project will progress to an informal public consultation in early 2026, with a planning application submitted later that year.

The new hotel is part of the Council’s strategy to regenerate the southern gateway to Swanley and support the District’s economy. The Council has already built the Meeting Point business hub and the Elizabeth House affordable housing development, both on the High Street, helping to kick-start further improvements nearby.

This is not the first time Sevenoaks District Council has built a hotel. The Council constructed a hotel on a former Council car park close to Sevenoaks Station. The Council-owned hotel opened to the public in July 2018 and is leased to Premier Inn.