Sponsored by
Exclusive interview: 'We've saved hotel' say Great Northern owners
THE owners of Peterborough's historic Great Northern Hotel today told why they have just embarked on a £2 million refit to transform it into the best in the city.
THE owners of Peterborough's historic Great Northern Hotel today told why they have just embarked on a 2 million refit to transform it into the best in the city.Speaking exclusively to The Evening Telegraph, businessman Colin Hill, consultant to the hotel owners Boddleson SA, of Switzerland, ended weeks of anxiety about the future of the 157-year-old building, in Station Approach, following the collapse of its management team.
Mr Hill, who is also consultant for Peterborough United Holdings, which owns the Posh football ground, in London Road, said: "We want to make a statement to the city.
"We have saved the hotel. We have rebuilt it and are running it."
He added: "We are saying to the city and the local authority that we don't have to do this, but we have chosen to take this action and there is no reason why this hotel should not be the best in Peterborough.
"We are spending 2 million on a refit of the hotel - we have ripped everything out from top to bottom and plan to restore it to its original glory.
"Builders are working on the site around-the-clock to ensure the hotel is ready to reopen again by the end of August."
Mr Hill's comments should go a long way ease the concerns of many city people who feared for the future of the hotel after the hotel's earlier owner, Mistvalley, run by city businessman and Pizza Express founder Peter Boizot, plunged into administration and the hotel was put up for sale.
Related:
Great Northern Hotel: original plan to build flats 'has not gone away'.
Great Northern Hotel: factfile, history and timeline
------------
It was snapped up by Boddleson SA - a group of overseas investors - for 3 million in April with Oxfordshire-based firm Cre8, fronted by former Peterborough United striker Lee Power, chosen to run the business.
But in a dramatic turn of events, Cre8, which had promised to turn the Great Northern into a "boutique" hotel, collapsed and the 40 plus staff were made redundant.
Mr Hill said: "That collapse was totally unexpected.
"But there is nothing we can do about it and the "boutique" idea has been quashed.
"My investors didn't want to run a hotel but we are in it now and have decided to really crank it up and hope we get it right. If we don't it won't be for want of trying."
Mr Hill said: "We have embarked on a total refit from top to bottom.
"Everything has been pulled out –wiring, plumbing and bedroom and bathroom furniture.
"All of the hotel's 40 bedrooms and 20 other rooms, including conference areas, lounges and bars will be revamped. There will also be a couple of surprises installed as well."
The hotel will also be run by a new management team headed by the hotel's director Lindsey Blewett, who said: "This is going to be a great challenge. We are are working flat out to get the hotel open by the end of next month."
News of the ambitious refit for the Great Northern has been welcomed by Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson, who had urged English Heritage to list the hotel's historic facade to prevent its demolition.He (Colin Hill] said: "I think that in the long term, the Great Northern Hotel will be an integral part of the retail redevelopment of North Westgate and the Station Quarter and we hope that it will be a success and we wish the owners well."
He added: "I am sure Peterborough City Council will be vigilant to ensure that the new owners comply with planning policy.
"There is no case in favour of demolishing the facade and most people will strongly resist any attempt to do so."
Chairman of Peterborough Civic Society Peter Lee said: "We are delighted by news of the refit - it looks very promising indeed. The interior of the hotel had been quite extensively altered anyway and to have further alterations would not cause us any concern."
Chief executive of Peterborough Chamber of Commerce John Bridge said: "I am delighted that the refurbishment is taking place right at a key gateway to Peterborough To have a prestigious hotel at this location is very positive news for Peterborough."
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
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.