Ziggurat seeks to change from visitor to staff use

Thursday 22 September 2022

Hand Picked Hotels wants to close Ziggurat and use it as staff accommodation for at least three years.

The application, received by the Development & Planning Authority, asks to change the use of 14 visitor bed spaces into staff units. Currently there are two staff beds spaces at the three-star St Peter Port hotel.

Ziggurat has remained closed since its purchase by the hotelier group in 2021. 

The applicants argue that additional housing units for hospitality staff are needed urgently, and the location of Ziggurat on Constitution Steps is an attractive location for staff as it’s between its other local commercial sites – St. Pierre Park Hotel and Fermain Valley Hotel. 

Simon Miller, Regional General Manager of Ziggurat, claims that the present lack of quality staff accommodation is negatively affecting operations at the other hotel sites, putting their capacity at risk “as there is no desire to reduce the quality of service”. 

“Hotel Ziggurat’s small size, pedestrianised location in Constitution Steps and poor configuration over multiple floors, make it the least desirable property for operating as a hotel and it sits outside the Hand Picked Hotel model,

Mr Miller said the change of use, if approved, would be ultimately beneficial to the tourist economy of Guernsey by ensuring expected services are maintained at the company’s other sites.

Pictured: The hotel enjoys lofty views over St. Peter Port.

Mr Miller added that additional accommodation units are needed now: “Whilst it is acknowledged that additional housing is planned for construction across the island, which may alleviate some of the current pressures on housing, we also acknowledge that it will be several years before these are delivered and tangible benefits are seen”.

He claimed that substantial works to convert the property are unnecessary; all rooms have ensuite bathroom provisions and living areas would be communal. 

“Given the technically constrained nature of the site and its unusual configuration, a staff accommodation use can take place with minimal building works,” said Mr Miller. 

You can view the application online HERE.