Repairs to the Premier Hotel on Exmouth seafront will continue until the end of 2026, and a temporary 'tin hat' structure will be added to the roof. Owner Whitbread PLC has said more widespread repairs are needed than first thought, including external rendering and upgrades to roof equipment.
The company, which runs the UK's biggest hotel brand, has acknowledged the frustration felt across Exmouth over the building's appearance. Whitbread admitted 'the hotel has not been looking its best in recent years'. Issues within the seafront building were 'more extensive' than originally believed, prompting the need for wider repairs for a long-term result.
The extended repairs mean the hotel will remain wrapped in scaffolding and protective covering. The temporary 'tin hat' structure will be added while work on the building, roof and plant is completed. Whitbread said the repairs were sparked by water entering the building, which caused some damage to the timber frame. The exterior is also discoloured. The hotel remains structurally sound and safe to operate, the company said.
Whitbread has written to Exmouth MP David Reed, who a year ago raised concerns about the building's 'scruffy and uninviting appearance' that 'sends the wrong message' to visitors. The letter sets out the new timeframe and an explanation for the extended repairs.
Whitbread admitted the ongoing scaffolding was 'disappointing', but said the works were 'necessary'. The company said it was 'determined' to restore the building's appearance to reflect the significance of its seafront location.
Alex Flach, development director for Whitbread in the UK & Ireland, said: "We appreciate our hotel is one of the most prominent buildings on Exmouth seafront and understand that its appearance during the repair works has been frustrating for local residents, businesses and visitors.
"As our investigations have continued, we have found that some of the issues with the hotel building are more extensive than we originally understood. Rather than opt for a short-term solution, we have decided to expand the scope of the repairs to ensure they are addressed properly.
"Unfortunately, this means the scaffolding will need to remain in place longer than we had hoped. However, once complete, the hotel will benefit from a full programme of repairs that will ensure it will continue to be a positive feature of Exmouth's seafront for many years to come."
He added: "We are very grateful for the continued patience and understanding of the local community while this remediation work is carried out."
Throughout 2026, work has been taking place to repair water ingress and visible deterioration to the rendered façade of the 60-bedroom hotel on The Esplanade.
Exmouth Seafront Hotel to Get ‘Tin Hat’ as Repairs Run to End of 2026