Sponsored by
Council bids for Great Northern
6.45PM: Peterborough City Council has emerged of one of the parties who have made a bid to buy the Great Northern.
6.45PM: Peterborough City Council has emerged of one of the parties who have made a bid to buy the Great Northern.Council leader John Peach authorised the bid which, if successful, would see the building leased to a suitable tenant to operate as a hotel.
Full story in Wednesday's Evening Telegraph.
Tuesday 12noon: Peterborough's historic Great Northern Hotel is expected to be in the hands of a new owner within a month.
Last month, the Evening Telegraph revealed the future of the 159-year-old building was uncertain after it was placed into administration following a financial crisis.
The exquisite hotel was then put up for sale and it is now understood a number of local businesses have expressed their interest in buying the 2.6 million building – and the new owner is expected to take over in the next few weeks.
Today, entrepreneur Peter Boizot, who until recently lived in the hotel and oversaw its daily operation, said he felt sad that he would no longer be a part of the hotel.
Do you think the Great Northern should stay as a hotel?
Comment below, email us: news@ peterboroughtoday.co.uk or see more ways to interact with us.
-------------------------------------
He said: "I would have liked to have kept it on, but sadly didn't get the support from the bank that I needed to secure it, so I reluctantly had to let it go.
"I am now living in central Peterborough. I am very much still interested in the hotel and I would like to see it remain open as a hotel in that area.
"I would hope the new buyer will keep it the same and I would like to see the station building moved 300 metres north on the empty land as part of the station quarter development, so the hotel can stay where it is."
The hotel, which is owned by a company called Mistvalley Ltd, went into administration in February, and features 35 letting rooms, 31 of which are en suite, a main bar, restaurant and function facilities.
The Great Northern Hotel was designed by respected architect Henry Goddard, and cost 2,500 when it opened, on April 1, 1852.
In December last year campaigners handed the council a petition of 1,000-plus signatures opposing any plans to demolish the building.
Following the outpouring of public support, Mr Boizot promised to fight the demolition tooth and nail, but now the sale is out of his hands.
Chief executive for the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, John Bridge said: "This is very positive news for the city. I very much regretted the situation Mr Boizot found himself in and so clearly I am delighted that a buyer will be found soon.
"I think this shows there is an interest in businesses in the city. People will not invest money if they are not convinced they are moving into a city which has a very exciting and bright future."
A spokesman for Christie and Co, which is handling the sale, said: "We have had a number of bids on the property and a decision is imminent.
"We are very pleased with the number of bids and we expect the process to complete the sale will be completed within a month."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.