Operator proposes internal refit to boost capacity
Buzzworks, the Scottish hospitality firm that acquired The Bonnie Badger in Gullane earlier this year, has submitted plans to East Lothian Council to increase the number of hotel bedrooms at the town centre property.
The former restaurant and hotel, opened around eight years ago by celebrity chef Tom Kitchin and his wife Michaela after they took over the building previously known as the Golf Inn, currently offers 12 en suite rooms alongside a 60-cover restaurant. The application seeks permission for an internal reconfiguration that would create an additional five guest rooms by converting space presently used for staff accommodation.
Heritage and conservation considerations
The property is a Category B listed building located within the Gullane Conservation Area. The design statement submitted with the application emphasises the limited, internal nature of the proposals and says the work will not affect the building’s exterior or street elevation on Main Street.
“The proposed approach therefore safeguards the Category B listed building and preserves the character and appearance of the Gullane Conservation Area.”
The applicants describe the change as a “proportionate and policy-compliant refinement of an established hotel use”, indicating an intention to retain the property’s historic fabric while adapting it to support the business.
What is proposed
- Conversion of existing staff accommodation into five hotel bedrooms
- Two new bedrooms at ground-floor level and three at first-floor level
- Alterations to provide a private dining room and a lounge area at ground floor
The proposal is pitched as an internal, light-touch scheme that is operationally integrated with the existing hotel and restaurant operations. The owners say increased capacity will support the hotel’s ongoing viability and contribute to the local visitor economy.
Practical impact and next steps
If approved, the changes would increase overnight capacity at The Bonnie Badger without changing the building’s footprint. The move follows Buzzworks’ acquisition of the site earlier this year from Mr and Mrs Kitchin; the sale price was not disclosed.
| Current | Proposed |
|---|---|
| 12 en suite guest rooms | 17 en suite guest rooms |
| Rooms used for staff accommodation | Converted to three first-floor and two ground-floor bedrooms |
Local residents and heritage bodies will be able to comment on the planning application as it progresses through the council’s statutory process. East Lothian planners will consider the proposals against conservation and planning policy before reaching a decision.
The applicants argue the internal adaptations will strengthen the hotel’s economic sustainability and ensure continued active stewardship of a listed building in Gullane’s main street.
