Boston business aims to convert apartments into flats after decline in bookings

Smartmove Hotels has taken the action in relation to The County Hall Apartments, in Church Close, part of the same building that houses the Waterfall Plaza Shopping Centre.

It follows a decline in bookings since The Arundell Hotel – another Smartmove Hotels property – opened next door in September of last year.

The County Hall Apartments opened six years ago and comprised three two-bed and six three-bed apartments.

The business says it aims to secure planning permission to convert the space into self-service flats.

It said the decision was taken last month and no jobs were being lost as a result, with staff being moved to different properties within the group.

A spokesman said: “Since we opened The Arundell Hotel, we’ve seen a reduction in reservations at The County Hall Apartments, therefore have taken the decision to remove it from our serviced accommodation offering, and convert it into nine standalone high quality self-service flats.

“All guests have been approached and offered either a full refund, or the opportunity to be relocated into a different property at no additional cost, whether it be a holiday home, hotel oralternative serviced apartment.”

Other sites in the Smart Move portfolio include: Quayside Hotel, in London Road; No. Twenty Hotel & Bar, in Wormgate; The Stanley Hotel, in High Street; and Grant House, in Grants Lane.

The Arundell Hotel forms part of the former local authority building that is also home to Boston Library.

It opened last year following a £2 million investment by Boston entrepreneur Alistair Arundell, owner of Smartmove Hotels.

He told The Standard at the time: “When the opportunity arose to purchase this significant building, I jumped at the chance.

“It’s always been my dream to utilise the building and I’m now so lucky to have been able to expertly convert it into the stunning hotel that it is now.”