MORE than £500,000 could be spent on an ambitious project to “extend and upgrade” a hotel facing out over the North Sea.

A new 50-cover restaurant and lounge bar are among the changes planned for the Bayswell Park Hotel.

The proposals, which are being weighed up by East Lothian Council’s planning department, also include the installation of two hot tub suites in the hotel, as well as transforming four single rooms into two “spacious double rooms”.

A new lift and ambulant toilet facilities are also planned for the hotel, which dates back more than 120 years.

A first set of plans was submitted to the local authority in July, with the initial proposals looking at a separate annexe as well.

Those were withdrawn and it is understood that the annexe, which the original plans suggested would have been built over three storeys between the existing hotel and the cliffs to the north, will be considered under a separate planning application.

According to a supporting statement included with the latest plans: “The existing business model is barely sustainable, and the overarching objective of the development is to invest c. £550,000 in infrastructure improvements to improve the future prospects of the hotel.

“The development proposals seek to address weaknesses, strengthen the enterprise, promote higher occupancy levels, deliver a much-improved standard of service that will attract customers and, most importantly, contribute to the delivery of a top-quality hotel.”

The conservatory to the west of the building, on Dunbar’s Bayswell Park, would be removed to make way for the new restaurant and “improved” lounge bar.

The supporting statement notes: “The present areas are too small, and the new restaurant and lounge bar will provide a spacious attractive welcoming ambiance.

“The comfortable high-quality dining and relaxation space will be available for resident guests and non-residential clients.”

Meanwhile, it is hoped that the introduction of additional hot tub suites will help attract people to the hotel, which was previously called Kerridges.

“The existing hot tub suites are spectacularly unique; incredibly popular; and are delivering high premium occupancy rates and attracting guests to Dunbar from all over Scotland and from the north of England,” according to the plans, submitted on behalf of Mr Flame.

“The present number and type of letting rooms is not sufficient to sustain a business model which includes a very high level of service provision – particularly when some potential revenue income sources are not deliverable (eg functions); or have greatly declined (eg bar trade) over recent years.”

According to the application, the proposals, if approved, could not only benefit a local building contractor but also “secure existing and provide new jobs” – such as chef/kitchen/front of house and housekeeping – within the hotel.

The original proposals were met with a mixed reaction from the town’s community council when they met in July.

Jacquie Bell, secretary, said there were neighbours who were “really concerned about the proposals”.

However, member Craig Rapson felt there was a need for hotel accommodation in the town.

Social media also gave a mixed picture, with a number of people questioning the design of the annexe building.