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Marine Parade
Dover
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From the Dover Express 6 October 1994.
Robin Leigh-Pemberton unveils the cold-cast bronze plaque. |
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DOVER'S Churchill Hotel formerly the White Cliffs has
been officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Robin Leigh-Pemberton.
And the Dover Express helped provide a magnificent cold-cast bronze
plaque for the hotel of the great leader whose name it bears.
The plaque
was taken from a sculpture made by Jim Forsyth, of Beresford Road,
River, which in turn was taken from a wooden carving of Sir Winston
Churchill made by his father, Bob.
Bob, a former Dover police sergeant
who died in 1989, was an ardent admirer of Churchill. Carpentry was his
great hobby and he made the carving in 1958.
Bob's handiwork prowess was
inherited by his son Jim, whose particular skill is sculpture. In
response to requests Jim - a firefighter based at Dover fire station
sculpted some copies of his father's work two years ago to give to
members of the family.
The White Ciiffs Hotel closed down last year and
when 47-year old Jim read in the Dover Express that it was to be
re-opened, and re-named The Churchill, he sent a photograph of his
sculpture to manager Jim Pennington and asked if the hotel would like
its own version.
Mr Pennington was delighted to accept, and Barry
Sheppard, of RawIsons Ltd., based in Holmestone Road, Dover, was asked
to turn Jim's sculpture into a cold-cast bronze plaque for the hotel.
Last Thursday Jim and wife Frances, with his mother Marjorie - Bob's widow who lives in Byllan Road,
River - were among scores of people invited to the hotel to watch Mr
Leigh-Pernberton, former governor of the Bank of England, unveil it.
The hotel, on the seafront, actually opened as The Churchill in April.
As the White Cliffs Hotel, its association with Sir Winston Churchill
began during the war when the premier was a regular visitor.
The hotel
is owned by Dover Harbour Board and operated by Henley Lodges, which is
also working with the port authority on providing another 60 bedroom
hotel off Townwall Street.
The Churchill, which employs 40 full and part-lime workers, now has 54
bedrooms. The first phase of a massive facelift, a £200,000
refurbishment of the ground floor, has just been completed.
The second
phase - total re-furbishment of the bedrooms and corridors at a cost of
£330.000 - is about to start.
At the opening ceremony Mr Leigh-Pemberion
said the hotel had been beautifully refurbished: He felt the hotel
would be an excellent asset in Dover's plans to attract more tourists
to the area.
He added: 'The hotel is very well named. Churchill
epitomised everything Dover stood for and still stands for today:' |
Marjorie Forsyth and her son Jim look at the plaque - taken from a
wooden carving made by Bob Forsyth 36 years ago - on display in the
hotel foyer:
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From the Dover Express 13 October 1994.
Did Churchill visit hotel?
THE REPORT on the official opening of The Churchill (formerly White
Cliffs Hotel) contained historical inaccuracies in that, so far as I am
aware, Winston Churchill did not set foot in the White Cliffs Hotel
until long after the Second World War.
The White Cliffs Hotel was named
such by my company when it first leased the premises from Dover Harbour
Board in 1947.
Winston Churchill's visits came about after his appointment as Lord
Warden of the Cinque Ports. Many of the official functions of the Cinque
Ports look place at the White Cliffs as our then chairman was (and still
is) a Baron of the Cinque Ports.
Robert Menzies also dined at the White
Cliffs on his visits to Dover during his time as Lord Warden in the late
Sixties. I was not in Dover during the Second World War but I am sure
there are many people reading your paper who were and would be able to
say how the hotel was utilised during that period. I have been told part
of the premises was commandeered by the Army.
Pamela J Gibbons, Graham Lyon Ltd, Markland Road, Dover.
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From the Dover Express, 27 October 1994.
£½m hotel
investment starts soon
DOVER Harbour Board is set to start on a second phase of big
improvements to The Churchill Hotel on the seafront.
It Is taking its investment in the hotel past £500,000 with it major
refurbishment of all 56 bedrooms during the winter.
Ground Door public
areas were renovated earlier this year at a cost of £330,000.
The
Churchill, formerly the White Cliffs Hotel, is managed by Henley Lodges
Ltd.
It was officially opened earlier this month by Robin Leigh-Pemberten, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent.
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From the Dover Mercury, 24 April 2003.
TEST OF TIME: The Churchill Hotel, an imposing building on Dover
seafront which is 170 years old this year. (2003)
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£1m facelift at promenade hotel
PEOPLE who used the fashionable bathing houses on Dover seafront in the
19th century would never have guessed that today those same rooms would
be used for weddings, conferences, keeping fit and eating in style.
Neither would they have guessed that guests would have included
statesmen, film stars and television personalities.
But that's what has happened at what is now the Churchill Hotel, which
is home to a popular brasserie, bar lounge, and the Henley Health Club.
Guests were invited along to an open day this week to see for themselves
what the hotel has to offer following refurbishment and modernisation
costing more than £1 million.
Celebrating its 170th anniversary this year, the listed building is set
in a regency crescent right on the promenade, and originally opened up
onto the beach providing the ideal place for bathers of more than a
century ago to come and stay and enjoy the benefits of the
coastal air.
About 100 years ago, it became the famous White Cliffs Hotel,
welcoming thousands of visitors.
In September 1994, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lord Kingsdown,
officially reopened it as The Churchill Hotel, recalling Sir Winston
Churchill's long association with Dover.
Now run by Best Western, the Churchill not only offers conference
facilities - four rooms which make up the Chartwell Suite, maintaining
the Churchill link - it is also licensed for weddings and can be used
for baby naming ceremonies too.
Among the grandest rooms is Room 100, otherwise known as the honeymoon
suite.
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GRANDEUR: Becky Campbell, who was among those who showed guests around
the Churchill Hotel, takes a break in the honeymoon suite. |
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But all the rooms have now been provided with en-suite facilities,
helping the hotel to receive high awards for standards of quality and
service from the AA, RAC and the South East England Tourist Board.
Special guests over the years, as well as Churchill, have included
American author Bill Bryson, Prince Edward, who has stayed on a number
of occasions with his filming company, James Bolam and Tamsin Outhwaite.
One of the newest facilities is the Henley Health Club with its own hair
and beauty salons, aerobics studio, cardiovascular and weights
resistance areas, as well as a sauna.
Murder mystery nights, charity auctions, party nights and brass band
concerts are all becoming popular events at the hotel.
More rooms are planned
MORE rooms are planned at The Churchill Hotel on Dover seafront.
Planning permission is being sought for alterations to the fabric of the
building associated with conversion of existing flats into hotel
bedrooms.
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From the Dover Mercury 6 May 2004
Leading Hotel celebrates its success story
THRIVING BUSINESS: Lord and Lady Kingsdown cut the cake to celebrate The
Churchill's 10th anniversary, watched by Sir Winston (actor Gerry
George), and directors Keith Berry and Les Pennington.
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WHEN the Churchill Hotel celebrated its 10th anniversary on Friday;
there really was only one person to choose as a special guest -
Churchill himself!
Distinguished British statesman Sir Winston appeared at the
celebrations, complete with traditional cigar and V for victory sign, in
the form of actor Gerry George.
Director and general manager Les Pennington recalled that when the
hotel opened as The Churchill, Dover was a very different place. There
was a recession, and the port was facing the threat of the Channel
Tunnel.
"It was being predicted that cross-Channel traffic through Dover would
drop by 50 per cent," he said. "It wasn't quite tumbleweed on the
streets of Dover, but it wasn't far off it.
"Now, it's a thriving town and meeting the challenges that lie ahead.
"We are proud of our progress both in the hotel and with helping the
local community.
"We have sponsored many local charities. Among these is Kent Air
Ambulance who have received £7,500 over the last two years Via money
raised in charity auctions organised by the hotel."
Dover Ladies Football Club have shirts bearing the name of the Churchill
Hotel and Health Club. "This sponsorship helped secure their place in
the 'Premier' League this
year," he said.
Angie McLoughlin, captain of the football club, said the Churchill
encouraged team members to train twice a week in the gym, and provided
advice and help on training and diet."
The hotel has also sponsored four boats for the Dover Watersports
Centre, and it is supporting the plan for a
new sea-sports centre.
Over the years, many famous people have visited the hotel, including
Prince Edward, television actors James Bolan and Tamsin Outhwaite, and
author Bill Bryson who mentions the hotel in his book Notes From A
Small Island.
Among the guests at Friday's celebrations were Lord and Lady Kingsdown,
who spent the first night of their honeymoon at the hotel (the then
White Cliffs Hotel) more than 50 years ago.
"It was perfectly good," he recalled, ''better than the last night which
we spent under a hedge just the other side of Calais.
"In those days we were limited as to how much money we could take
abroad, and by the last night we only had enough for a dinner or a
hotel.
We opted for the dinner, so spent the night under the hedge."
Lady Kingsdown cut the anniversary cake.
Among the staff who have been at the hotel for the whole 10 years are
reservations co-ordinator Kim Clennell, who started as a receptionist,
Christine Jamieson, who started as a housekeeper and is now services manager, Pat Bradley, who was a cleaner
and is now assistant housekeeper, and
night porter Mick Dawkins, who had
also worked there when it was the
White Cliffs Hotel.
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Three of the hotel staff who have been working at The Churchill for the
past 10 years, left to right, Kim Clennell, Christine Jamieson and Pat
Bradley.
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In his Churchillian speech, the special guest for the evening spoke of
"Britain's most valuable liquid asset" - the Channel. "It seems
appropriate that I should have a waterfront hotel, which stands beneath
those historic white cliffs, named after me.
"This hotel has gone from strength to strength, with refurbishment of
bedrooms, the addition of new bedrooms and the Chartwell suite with
four new conference rooms, the first baby-naming ceremony, champagne
cruise package, civil weddings and the introduction of the health
club."
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From the Dover Express, 18 November 2004.
By LAURA SMITH and TERRY SUTTON
Lots raise lots for cancer relief charity.
CHEERS: Chris Walter (left) and Les Pennington toast their House
BARGAINS were going, going, gone at a Dover hotel last week as it held
its annual charity auction.
The Churchill Hotel on Dover Waterfront put almost 50 lots under the
hammer in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief and raised £5,200.
Retired hotelier Chris Walters was guest auctioneer, describing and
selling the lots which had been donated by local businesses and
individuals.
Mr Walters persuaded one bidder to pay out £600 for a two-week Gite
holiday in south-west France while a local man paid £75 to take tea for two on the terrace of the
House of Commons, a lot offered by Gyyn Prosser MP.
A coveted Louis Vuitton handbag fetched £130 while a day out for two to
a Bedfordshire racetrack (said to be worth £900) was knocked down for
£525. Several holidays also sold well, as did TVs, DVD players and a
giant cuddly chimpanzee.
General manager of the hotel Les Pennington extended his thanks to all
those who donated items for the sale.
He said: “We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of all who attended or
donated to this event.
“Not only that, it’s a fun evening out. Knowing that all the money
raised goes to help the people who work for Macmillan and how they can
help people diagnosed with cancer is especially worthwhile.”
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From the Dover Mercury, 18 January 2007.
Win health club membership
GAIN fitness and lose weight with the help of the health club at the
Best Western Churchill Hotel on Dover waterfront this year.
And to encourage you to do so, the hotel is offering Gold Club
membership for 12 months at its health club, worth £432, in this
competition.
Gold Club' membership includes five sunbed sessions. The winner will
also get dinner for two in the hotel's Brasserie restaurant.
Come down to the health club and check out the first rate facilities
with a free taster session.
The health club has its own entrance to the back of the hotel and car
parking for members is free.
There are several different membership options available and
qualified instructors are on hand to discuss individual requirements.
The health club is fully equipped with a wide range of cardiovascular
and resistance equipment, sauna and sunbed. There is also a weekly
programme of fitness classes, including yoga.
Members benefit from discounts at Regatta Hair Salon and Beauty
Matters, which are also situated at the Best Western Churchill Hotel.
You will also receive discounts in the Brasserie restaurant.
Health club opening times are Monday - Friday 7am-10pm and weekends
9am-6pm. For more information please call 01304 265080.
So to win the superb prize, just answer the question below and send
your answer to Churchill Hotel Competition, Mercury, 13 Queen Street,
Deal, Kent CT14 6EX, to arrive by Friday, January 19 (2007)
What is the name of the restaurant in the Best Western Churchill
Hotel and Health Club?
Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number.
Gym at Churchill's.
Working with weights as club members tone up at the Best Western
Churchill Hotel, Dover.
The waterfront gym has a full range of cardiovascular machines and
weights to keep you at the peak of fitness.
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From the Dover Mercury, 18 January 2007.
Smoking outlawed before ban.
SMOKERS will no longer be able to light up in public parts of the
Churchill Hotel, after managers decided to pre-empt the smoking ban and
introduce their own policy this month.
New legislation enforcing a ban on
smoking in public places in England is due to take effect on July 1.
But
the hotel and health club, on Dover's waterfront, has decided to make
the move now, linking it with its health club fitness drive.
The hotel
has also taken notice of a campaign on TV and in magazines by Cancer
Research UK. Called Smoke Is Poison, it reveals that cigarette smoke
contains 69 cancer-causing chemicals. A spokesman for the hotel said the
public and hotel guests were responding positively to the ban.
Smoking
will still be allowed in some of the Churchill's bedrooms and external
areas, but the main bar, lounge, reception and restaurant have now been
made smoke-free.
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From BBC News website, 28 January, 2010.
Churchill Hotel on Dover seafront closes
One of Dover's largest seafront hotels has closed.
The 81-bedroom Churchill Hotel and Heath Club informed the Great Western
franchise that it was closing after working with it for five years.
A statement from Best Western said: "We were advised that the hotel
ceased trading. Best Western terminated their membership with immediate
effect."
Best Western did not own or manage the property and the hotel owners
were unavailable to comment.
In a statement, Best Western said: "The Best Western group is a
marketing consortium and, as such, does not own the property or get
involved in the day to day running of the hotel and its liabilities.
This is the sole responsibility of the owners of the hotel.
"Best Western are speaking to all guests booked into the hotel through
the group, to find alternative accommodation."
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From the Dover Express 4 February 2010.
Report by Rhys Griffiths
LANDMARK HOTEL CLOSES ITS DOORS
The Churchill had run into serious financial difficulties
AN ICONIC Dover hotel that once welcomed royalty, politicians and
celebrities has closed.
The Churchill on the seafront, which was a part of the international
Best Western chain, was closed indefitely last week after running into
financial difficulties.
Formerly the "White Cliffs," it was once the place to stay in the town
with past guests including Prince Edward, writer Bill Bryson and TV
presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
Staff at the hotel, and the businesses that operated within it, learnt
of its fate on Wednesday,
January 27, and were told it would close the next morning, Gillian
Smissen, who has run the Regatta Hair Salon at the hotel for four
years, was told the devastating news this morning.
"It has come as a complete surprise," she said. "It's a very sad day. I
have lost my livelihood and my staff are out of work."
We approached the
hotel's management for a statement on the closure but they declined to
comment.
A spokesman for Best Western said: "We were advised by the
management that the "Churchill Hotel" and Health Club will cease trading
as of January 28. As a result, Best Western will terminate their
membership with immediate effect.
"The Best Western group is a
marketing consortium and, as such, does not own the property or get
involved in the day-to-day running of the hotel and its liabilities.
This is the sole responsibility of the owners of the hotel."
Dover Harbour Board, which owns the building, told the Express it had
been working with the business to try to help it overcome its financial
troubles for some time.
Tim Waggott, director of finance and commercial at DHB, said: "We have
worked very hard with the "Churchill Hotel" to try and help it through its
trading difficulties with our commercial and marketing team over a
period of time.
"Our sympathies go out to all those affected by this news."
The Beauty Matters salon, one of the businesses affected by the closure,
has relocated to new premises at Upper Cut, 2a New Street. The salon
will be open for business from February 11. Customers should call 01304
211728.
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From the Dover Express 4 February 2010.
By Jeanette Harper, Chairman London Road Community
Forum
CHURCHILL HOTEL CLOSES AND FRENCH BUY DOVER?
BIG name companies continue to close their doors in Dover. The
Churchill Hotel, our long established pub and hotel on the seafront, has
joined that rank.
When I initially heard the news, I was convinced it was a case of
mistaken identity and it was really the County Hotel that had closed.
Let's face it, it's earmarked for demolition and is not in the
prettiest of locations.
The facade of Churchill's on the other hand has been continually
looked after and now, nearly 180 years after it was built, still looks
beautiful. I have visited the bar a few times and always found the venue
a great place to escape to with a book in the summer months.
I had heard a different story about the accommodation though, with
the words tatty, tired and worn being used to describe the hotel's guest
rooms. In today's ever increasing competitive market, it is absolutely
crucial that companies stay on top of their game. It is all too easy now
for one to complain and post photographs online for the whole world to
see.
Whatever the future is for the building now, I feel very confident
that it won't be left to rot because Dover Harbour Board, when all is
said and done, is very good at keeping its properties and gardens in
excellent order.
This leads me on to the recent talk about the French 'buying' Dover,
and I wonder is it such a bad idea as everyone seems to think?
I can imagine the town doing very well indeed if this were true. For
the record, however, I will say that I believe it to be a load of old
poppycock.
Nevertheless, the promised redevelopment of the St James area could
be turned into something similar to Cite Europe.
Instead of the mundane Asda we have been promised, we could have a
Carrefour supermarket. Churchill's would become La Campanile and we
could rename The "White Horse" to Le
Chevail Blanc with French beer served by a vivacious mademoiselle, of
course.
Maybe our taxes will even be in line with the French!
Imagine how popular Dover would become. Instead of the rest of the
country going overseas for their wine and cheese they could just come to
us instead. Bet there wouldn't be so many empty shops in town then.
Of course, this is all said tongue in cheek because I don't
particularly want bricks through my window.
Just remember that our advertising hoardings and rubbish collections
are already French owned. So, if it does happen, you read it here first!
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From the Dover Mercury, 4 February, 2010.
SHOCK OVER CLOSURE OF CHURCHILL HOTEL
By Graham Tutthill
STAFF at a prestigious Dover hotel were looking for new jobs this
week after it suddenly closed.
Other businesses within the "Churchill Hotel," including a health
club and a hair salon, were also affected.
News of the closure came just after last week's edition of the
Mercury had gone to press, and was first revealed on our website,
http://www.kentonline.co.uk
Staff called to their usual morning meeting last Wednesday were
stunned to be told of the decision and customers trying to book rooms on
the hotel's website found every date "unavailable".
The hotel had been a member of the Best Western Group who said
alternative arrangements were being made for guests who had already
booked rooms.
The hotel, on Dover's waterfront, had conference and meeting rooms as
well as a restaurant and bar.
It was previously called the "White
Cliffs Hotel," and over the years had played host to many famous
guests.
In September 1994, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lord Kingsdown,
officially reopened it as The Churchill Hotel, recalling Sir Winston
Churchill's long association with Dover.
In 2003, the hotel underwent a refurbishment and modernisation
costing more than £1 million.
But the economic situation had taken its toll in recent times and the
doors were closed for the last time on Thursday.
In a statement from Best Western, a spokeswoman said: "We were
advised by the management that the "Churchill Hotel" and Health Club
will cease trading as of January 28.
"As a result Best Western will terminate their membership with
immediate effect.
"The Best Western group is a marketing consortium and as such does
not own the property or get involved in the day to day running of the
hotel and its liabilities. This is the sole responsibility of the owners
of the hotel."
BUSINESS HIT
THE closure of the hotel didn't only effect the hotel staff. Other
businesses based at the hotel were also closed.
But one of them has already found new premises and will reopen on
February 11.
Beauty Matters has been run by Katherine Allen for the past four
years.
As soon as she heard the hotel was closing, Katherine set off in
search of a new salon, and is moving to Upper Cut - at 2a New Street,
Dover. The phone number will be 01304 211728.
Glllian Smissen, who ran the Regatta Hair Salon at the "Churchill,"
hopes she will be able to find new premises.
"It has been a sad day for my girls and me, but we will bounce back
very soon and hope that the support we have been shown so far will
continue and follow us where ever our scissors take us!"
The salon's charity Hair cabaret Show In aid of muscular dystrophy,
and in memory of Ross Excell who died two years ago from the
muscle-wasting disease went ahead at the Thatched Barn in Farthingloe.
A LONG AND COLOURFUL HISTORY
The hotel was built nearly 180 years ago as fashionable bathing
houses on the seafront.
Set in a regency crescent on the promenade, it originally opened up
on to the beach providing the ideal place for bathers to stay and enjoy
the benefits of the coastal air.
It was just over 100 years ago that it became the famous "White
Cliffs Hotel", and proved popular with statesmen, film stars and,
subsequently personalities.
Part of the Best Western Group, the "Churchill" offered conference
facilities for up to 120 delegates, four rooms which made up the
Chartwell Suite - maintaining the Churchill link - the Henly Health
Club, Regatta Hair Salon, restaurant and bar lounge.
It was licesed for weddings and could also be used for baby naming
ceremonies.
There were 81 rooms - all of which were provided with en suit
facilities in the refurbishment - and among the grandest rooms was Room
100, otherwise known as the honeymoon suite.
Prices ranged from £82 single to £110 for a family room. Special
rates were available from £68, but supplements of £20 were charged for
"superior executive rooms" and £15 and £10 for executive and sea view
rooms.
Special guests over the years, as well as Churchill, included
American author Bill Bryson, Prince Edward, who has stayed on a number
of occasions, former Doctor Who Jon Pertwee, James Bolan and Tamsin
Outhwaite.
An eposode of Poirot, with David Suchet, was filmed there.
Murder mystery nights, charity auctions, party nights and brass band
concerts were among the popular events held at the hotel.
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From the Dover Express 15 April 2010.
Report by Rhys Griffiths
CLOSED HOTEL IS ON THE MARKET
Hopes that town landmark can thrive again.
AN iconic Dover hotel forced to close earlier this year by financial
difficulties is back on the market.
The Churchill Hotel on the seafront, which was part of the international
Best Western chain, closed its doors for the final time in January.
Formerly the "White Cliffs," it was once the most prestigious place to
stay in the town - with past guests including Prince Edward, writer Bill
Bryson and TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
The loss of such a prominent
business was widely seen as a major blow to the town, and it is
understood the owners had seen income fall significantly in recent
years. Now the hotel, which occupies a large section of a five-storey
grade Il-listed terrace owned by Dover Harbour Board, is being offered
by property management firm Fleurets with a leasehold of £175,000.
Will
Thomas, who is handling the sale for Fleurets, said: "We have been
instructed to market the hotel by the Dover Harbour Board who, like us,
expect strong interest in this most prominent of sites.
"Given the fact that Dover is Europe's busiest and most successful ferry
port, handling about £80 billion worth of trade each year, I'm sure
prospective operators of the Churchill will recognise it as having huge
potential.
"This really is an exceptional opportunity to take control of
a landmark hotel in a busy, world-famous port."
It is understood that Best Western, which acts as a
marketing consortium for independent hotels, is interested in working
with any new owners of the 81-bedroom hotel.
The closure of the hotel was
a major blow for employees and businesses at the premises.
Gillian Smissen, who ran the Regatta Hair Salon at the hotel for four
years before the Churchill closed, told the Express at the time: "It's a
very sad day. I have lost my livelihood and my staff are out of work."
• Anyone with interest in taking on the hotel should contact Fleurets on
020 72804700.
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From the Dover Mercury, 15 April, 2010.
HOTEL ON THE MARKET WITH A PREMIUM PRICE
Business up for sale after falling into liquidation
in January
THE Churchill Hotel on Dover seafront has been put on the market.
Dover Harbour Board, which owns the building, has instructed London
agency Fleurets to invite rental offers for the 81-bedroom hotel.
The hotel closed suddenly in January after it went into liquidation.
It had been affiliated with the Best Western brand, and the company
has said that it might be willing to continue that relationship with a
new operator.
The hotel's turnover was £1,732 million in 2007, dropping to £1,555
million in 2008, and reducing still further to £1,396 million last year.
Will Thomas, spokesman for Fleurets, said: "Rental offers and a
premium of £175,000 are sought for the grant of a new lease on terms to
be negotiated, although it is anticipated it would be for a term of 20
to 25 years, subject to five-yearly upward-only market rent reviews.
"We have been instructed to market the hotel by the Dover Harbour
Board who, like us, expect strong interest in this most prominent of
sites.
"Given the fact that Dover is Europe's busiest and most successful
ferry port, handling about £80 billion worth of trade each year, I'm
sure prospective operators of the Churchill will recognise it as having
huge potential.
"This really is an exceptional opportunity to take control of a
landmark hotel in a busy, world-famous port."
The hotel has a restaurant with seating for 120 people, a lounge bar,
four conference and function rooms, and passenger lift, as well as
four-bed room staff accommodation.
The basement had previously housed a hair dressing salon health club
and commercial kitchens.
• Anyone Interested who wants to arrange a viewing should contact Mr
Thomas at the Fleurets London office on 020 7280 4700 or email
will.thomas@fleurets.com
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From the Dover Mercury, 22 July, 2010.
EX-CHURCHILL HOTEL MAY REOPEN SOON
THE former Churchill Hotel on Dover seafront could reopen in the
next few weeks.
The hotel closed suddenly in January after the company went into
liquidation.
It was put on the market in April and Mike Krayenbrink, director of
development at Dover Harbour Board which owns the building, said a
number of companies had shown an interest.
He said: "I hope that it will be back in use for the summer."
At the time that it closed, the hotel's turnover had dropped from
£1.7m in 2007 to £1.3m last year.
When it was put on the market, rental offers and a premium of
£175,000 were being sought for the grant of a new lease which, it was
anticipated, would be for a term of 20 to 25 years, subject to
five-yearly upward-only market rent reviews.
The hotel has a restaurant with seating for 120, a bar, four
conference rooms as well as four-bedroom staff accommodation. The
basement had previously housed a hairdressers, health club and
commercial kitchens.
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From the Dover Mercury, 16 September, 2010.
THE CHURCHILL HOTEL HAS NEW OWNERS
A CONTRACT has been signed with new operators for the former
Churchill Hotel on Dover seafront.
News of the signing was revealed yesterday (Wednesday) by Dover
Harbour Board who announced they had agreed a new lease with a company.
No other details have been released.
Negotiations
The hotel suddenly closed at the end of January this year, and was
put on the market in April. In July, the Mercury reported that
negotiations were well under way with a new operator, and it was
expected to re-open in a matter of weeks.
Previously called the "White Cliffs Hotel," it was re-opened as The
Churchill in September 1994 and in 2003 it underwent a £1million
refurbishment.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday 23 September, 2010.
Report by Rhys Griffiths
NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR HOTEL ON WATERFRONT
Dozens of jobs to be created after takeover deal
A WATERFRONT hotel in Dover is to be brought back to life by the
team behind the successful "Ramada" hotel at Whitfield.
The property on the town's seafront, which was the Churchill Hotel
before it closed in January, will reopen later this year and see the
creation of dozens of jobs.
A lease for the hotel was agreed by the new management, who also run
the Holiday Inn Express 'outside Canterbury, with owner Dover Harbour
Board (DHB) last week.
It is expected the new venture, to be named "Dover Marina Hotel,"
will seek to join the Best Western group, which had previously included
the Churchill.
Trevor Bond, sales and marketing manager for the hotel, told the
Express the decision to take over the property represented a vote of
confidence in Dover as a tourist destination. "It's very good news for
Dover," he said. "What's happening now is that we are now in the process
of refurbishing and upgrading the hotel to a good standard.
"We will probably be opening about the middle of November or a bit
before. We want to make sure it's up to our standards.
"I think the main thing is to get the people of Dover to know it's a
place the community can use, a place to dine or come for a coffee, a
community friendly hotel."
As the hotel's new name suggests, the owners will be keen to make the
most of the proximity to the Port of Dover, which makes it an ideal
place for people to stay before joining a cruise or catching a ferry.
The Express reported last month that talks between the port authority
and the "Ramada" team over the 81-room hotel were at a crucial stage.
Tim Waggott, director of finance and commercial at DHB, said: "The
team at the Port of Dover have worked incredibly hard to find the right
partners to take one of Dover's premier sites forward.
"We are very encouraged that the new owners will be local businessmen
who understand what works for the town and we are excited by the new
ideas they have for "Dover Marina Hotel." We wish them well in their new
venture and await with pleasure the re-opening of the hotel."
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From the Dover Mercury, 23 September, 2010.
GOOD TIMES TO ROLL FOR SEAFRONT HOTEL
THE owners of the four-star "Ramada Hotel" at Whitfield have taken
over running the former "Churchill Hotel" on Dover seafront.
News that the lease had been signed was revealed in last week's
Mercury.
On Friday, the Port of Dover confirmed that the new owners
would be brothers Kanagaratnam Rajamenon and Kanagaratnam Rajaseelan and
that the hotel would be re-named "Dover Marina Hotel."
"They have a wealth
of experience behind them and innovative plans," said Tim Waggott,
director of finance and commercial at Dover Harbour Board, which owns
the building. "The team at the Port of Dover have worked hard to find
the right partners to take one of Dover's premier sites forward.
"We are
very encouraged that the new owners will be local businessmen who
understand what works for the town and we are excited by the new ideas
they have."
The new owners hope to continue the good relationship they enjoyed with Best Western, marketing
Dover Marina Hotel as "an affordable choice with green credentials",
appealing to tourists and business travellers alike.
Rajamenon said: "We
are looking forward to making Dover Marina Hotel a focal point for the
community and visitors, whether it be meeting friends for a drink,
enjoying a meal or relaxing with a coffee and taking in the view.
"We
will offer facilities including a health club and free Wi-Fi plus rooms
for weddings and meetings."
Previously called the White Cliffs Hotel,
the building reopened as The Churchill in September 1994, but closed
suddenly at the end of January and was put on the market in April.
MERCURY COMMENT
Seafront hotel news is a breath of fresh air.
When the doors suddenly closed at the Churchill Hotel on Dover
seafront in January, the outlook seemed bleak.
The last thing Dover needed was another empty property, particularly
in such a prominent position.
So news this week that a new lease has been signed and the hotel has
been taken over by the owners of the "Ramada Hotel" at Whitfield is good
news.
Brothers Mr. Rajamenon and Mr. Rajaseelan have built up a fine
reputation at Whitfield, and we look forward to them doing the same with
what they are now proposing to call the "Dover Marina Hotel."
This, combined with last week's news that two national companies are
planning to open shops in the town plus a new clothes shop, comes at a
time when Dover could do with some positive news.
And the London Road Community Forum volunteers are set to brighten up
another couple of empty shops and make them more attractive.
Now, if we could just sort out the Dover own Investment Zone
development and get the cable car installed...
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From the Dover Express, Thursday 4 November, 2010.
Report by Rhys Griffiths
PLANNING ISSUES SLOW RENOVATION
HOTEL TO REOPEN IN THE NEW YEAR.
PLANS to reopen a hotel on Dover seafront have been delayed because
of the need for planning permission for renovation work.
The "Dover Marina Hotel" in Waterloo Crescent, which was the Churchill
until it closed its doors earlier this year, has been taken over by the
team behind the "Ramada" at Whitfield and it was hoped the revamped venue
would reopen later this month.
Intensive work to modernise the interior of the historic building has
been carried out - but it was discovered that permission would be needed
for some of the work.
Trevor Bond, the hotel's marketing manager, told the Express the company
is keen to ensure all the improvements are completed to the highest
standard before welcoming guests for the
first time.
He said: "Some of the renovations are a bit more extensive than planned
and because of that, and the nature of them, we are having to seek
planning permission to do some of it.
"You are better off getting it all
done then opening than deciding you need to do this then having building
work going on in the hotel.
"We hope this will be a formality - we are not doing anything radical.
We are probably looking at eight to ten weeks, so we will be opening in
the new year."
Mr Bond said that, although there was now no firm date for opening to
guests, dignitaries for the official opening ceremonies were being lined
up for
an event in early February.
Last month, it was revealed an American-style coffee shop will be just
one of the attractions on the site once the renovation is complete.
There are also plans for a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a restaurant
and facilities to host conferences and weddings.
General manager David
Otteson said: "It is a community hotel and it has to be a venue all the
community feels comfortable being part of."
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From the Dover Express, Thursday 9 December, 2010.
CHURCHILL PLANS
PLANS have been submitted for changes to the former Churchill Hotel
on Dover sea front.
The request submitted to Dover District Council is for retrospective
consent to change the use of an office at the closed hotel to a coffee
shop along with provision of a ramped access and internal changes.
It was made on behalf of Mr Rajamenon of the "Ramada."
Whitfield. through Birmingham based agents NH Interiors.
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