Scotsman hotel chain buys former newspaper office
Once home to the Chronicle, Journal and Sunday Sun, Thomson House in Newcastle has been bought by the hospitality group.
Previously owned by Reach plc, permission was granted in 2018 to demolish and replace the building with two hotels including a bar, restaurant, and small gym.
Michael Laird Architects drew up proposals for the 130,000 sq ft development, however permission for the £24m project lapsed in 2022.
Reach has now sold the site to Scotsman, which owns six hotels in Scotland including the Scotsman Hotel, the Inn on the Mile and the Grassmarket Hotel, all in Edinburgh.
The cost of the deal was not disclosed.
Officially opened in 1965, Thomson House stood empty for six years, when the newspaper titles moved to smaller offices in Eldon Square shopping centre.
Happy memories of my time there as business editor of The Journal from 1995-1999. -despite the less than welcoming staff entrance on Pudding Chare! Pleased to see that it’s destined for a new lease of life.
By Justin Strong