Bosses at Alexandra Palace have revealed plans to convert part of the historic building into a top hotel following a board meeting last Thursday (July 26).

The palace’s trust board announced the proposals after a six-week consultation asking the public to rank five options in order of preference, including upgrading the main events hall, opening the derelict Victorian Theatre and old BBC studios, opening up the basement and building a hotel.

More than 2,000 people responded to the survey by Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust and chose upgrading the main hall as first preference and a hotel in the palace as the last.

According to Cllr Matt Cooke, chairman of the trust, some of those consulted were critical of a hotel bid. But the trust sees it as a sustainable means of preserving the future of the Grade II listed building which was built in 1873, with the other proposals.

Cllr Cooke said: “Having a hotel onsite is likely to make the elements that make up the whole site more commercially sustainable and viable in the future.

“A hotel makes other options possible, conference facilities for example.”

Palace campaigner Clive Carter, of Stroud Green, said: “I’m of the view that this hotel is not just desirable, but essential.

“If the palace is going to be economical, I think it’s essential that a hotel goes there. That way you will have people with money, wallets and credit cards.”

Colin Marr, chairman of the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee, said: “The proposal for a hotel in the south west corner of the Palace has been an integral part of the Alexandra Palace regeneration plan for some time.”