Bosses at a budget hotel have put a popular neighbouring restaurant on the market, and lodged plans for a huge three-storey extension.

The Premier Inn at Eureka Leisure Park in Ashford could see a net increase of 13 rooms and a new breakfast area if ambitious proposals are approved.

Owners of the hotel chain, Whitbread, has announced that the Beefeater restaurant next to the site is now on the market as a going concern.

This is part of its plans to move the sale of food and drink inside the hotel in the shape of a new breakfast bar.

In planning documents submitted to Ashford Borough Council (ABC), the applicant explains: “Premier Inn has identified a considerable demand for additional budget hotel accommodation in this location.

“It is also acting to reconfigure the restaurant proposition to ensure it best fits the needs of customers in select locations.

“This proposal for additional bedrooms and an adjusted restaurant proposition would meet Premier Inn’s operational requirements at the location and go some way in helping to address this bedroom demand.”

The extension would provide 18 bedrooms spread across the ground floor, first floor and second floor, as well as linen stores, a plant room and an AC compound.

On the ground floor of the existing hotel, five bedrooms would be converted into a new breakfast room.

The extension would be attached to the northern end of the hotel extending out to the east via a corridor link at each floor.

It would see the total number of rooms at the hotel reach 105.

In order to facilitate the extra guests visiting the site, the proposal includes the extension of the existing car park to 125 spaces.

The site forms part of the Eureka Leisure Park which includes a Travelodge, McDonald’s, KFC, Frankie & Benny’s, Nandos, Cineworld and a Pizza Hut.

If approved, the extension would be finished in materials to match the existing hotel, mainly in timber cladding and a flat grey roof.

No trees are proposed to be removed at the site.

The application adds: “The extension would create new jobs both in the construction and operational phases and support third-party suppliers.”

The hotel and Beefeater both have a rating of 4 on Tripadvisor.

Premier Inn runs two other hotels in Ashford – one in Hothfield and one at Orbital Park.

ABC is expected to make a decision on the plans in September.