The owners of The George in Rye are seeking to develop a 13-bedroom hotel at 15 High Street, a grade II listed property directly opposite the historic 49-bedroom building.
It would be the owners’ fourth hotel in the town, given that they already own The George, The Lookout and The Hope Anchor — together totalling 85 hotel rooms and employing about 100 staff. The company also owns The Falstaff in Canterbury.
On Tuesday 7 April, Rye Town Council’s Planning and Townscape Committee supported approval of the 15 High Street planning application by three votes to one, although one councillor expressed concern about the impact of too many hotels on the High Street.
Rooms at The George include a recent eight-bedroom extension after 9 Lion Street was converted.
Planning permission was actually granted last month to convert the 15 High Street property into a 12-unit shared HMO (house in multiple occupation) for hotel staff.
The ground floor front will house a hotel reception with a smaller shop installed on the right-hand side. Number 15 High Street, currently occupied by a clothing shop, was formerly a tea-room/restaurant and care home. It was previously known as The Mariners Hotel in the 1980s.
Owner Alex Clarke told Rye News, “We have been given the opportunity to breathe some new life into a building which has been mostly derelict since the care home closed in 2024. Our investment would contribute to restoring the listed property and conserve the heritage of our town. The jobs it would create can help support the local economy to which we contribute.”
According to the company’s strategic report for the year to 31 March 2025 the group’s revenue has grown 7%, in spite of the economic climate.
“The sector is facing a number of challenges right now,” said Alex Clarke. “There’s rising business rates, utility costs, national insurance taxation and consumer uncertainty in the face of living costs, but we believe Rye has a lot to offer visitors and shoppers, and can continue to compete against other towns in the UK.”
Those interested in viewing or commenting on the planning application for 15 High Street can find it on the Rother District Council website, listed as application RR/2026/0260/FULL.
Image Credits: David Worwood .
I wonder if this was put to a public vote whether the outcome would be the same?
Let’s hope they keep to the conservation rules and not paint the building terracotta.
It’s sad to see the animosity towards the owners of the George hotel who have invested so much money and much needed jobs in this town. With the town swamped with airbnbs and second homes, surely people’s anger in seeing this once thriving town being eroded of a local population, is more important than complaining about our number 0ne hotel, expanding their portfolio.
I don’t understand the animosity either. When the George burned down it caused unbelievable damage to the town in terms of jobs and income. They have done more to attract visitors here than any other single business, and they’ve taken on old hotels that are badly in need of an update. More power to them, I say.
I cannot understand the animosity either. Not only does The George provide employment for many in our community, and represent a magnet for the vital tourism trade, it’s recently supported Rye and District Youth Club too, so it is a positive contributor to our community. With the economic situation so parlous, surely this is good news. Good luck to Katie and Alex.