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Great Northern for sale at £2.6m
Peterborough's historic Great Northern Hotel, which has been at the centre of a row over its future, has gone up for sale with a price tag of more than £2.6 million.
Peterborough's historic Great Northern Hotel, which has been at the centre of a row over its future, has gone up for sale with a price tag of more than 2.6 million.Suggestions that the old building could eventually be knocked down to make way for the station quarter development created outrage.
Today, entrepreneur Peter Boizot, who until recently lived in the 159-year-old hotel and oversaw its daily operation, called for a "considerate" buyer to save it.
The hotel, which is owned by a company called Mistvalley Ltd which has gone into administration, features 35 letting rooms, 31 of which are en suite, a main bar, restaurant and function facilities and is on offer until 16 March 16.
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Today Mr Boizot, the founder of the Pizza Express empire, said: "The sale was the only thing to do when we did not get the support from the banks when we needed it.
"I don't know much about the sale personally but I do hope that the hotel will be sold to a firm that is considerate and treats it well.
"As far as I know the people putting bids in are looking to keep it as hotel. A lot of people do love it. I definitely want to see it carry on."
Chairman of the Peterborough Civil Society Peter Lee echoed Mr Boizot's comments saying: "I hope new owners appreciate the hotel's history and see the relevance and importance of this historic building in the new Peterborough.
"We feel it has a future as a hotel, albeit with some alterations and modernisation. The building has considerable character. It is unique in Peterborough, in both age and its location."
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.
Steve Compton, chief executive of Opportunity Peterborough, which is behind the station quarter plans, said: "We are obviously in a very different financial set of circumstances now, so we will have to see what bids the hotel attracts and would look to speak to any buyers about future plans."
A spokeswoman for joint administrator Tenon Recovery said it had received significant interest in the hotel and it would continue to trade while a buyer was sought.
Agent for Christie and Co which is handling the sale Tim Gooding said there had been a lot of interest so far and more bids were expected.
He said: "We are in the middle of the period where bids can be made and we have already shown a few prospective buyers round the property. "
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