GRAND HOTEL Hotels of Folkestone

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Folkestone, October, 2022.

Page Updated:- Sunday, 23 October, 2022.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1909-

Grand Hotel

Open 2014+

The Leas

Folkestone

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Mark Jennings.

Above postcard circa 1910, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Mark Jennings.

Metropole & Grand Hotels, 1920, Folkestone

The above 1920 photograph shows the "Grand Hotel" on the right and the "Hotel Metropole" on the left.

Above postcard shows the "Grand" (right) and "Metropole" (left) in 1910.

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Mark Jennings.

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly submitted by Mark Jennings.

Built just after the "Metropole" by local builder Daniel Baker, who being disappointed at not gaining the contract for the "Metropole hotel," decided on building another, right next door to it and called it the "Grand Hotel."

The building made use of innovative new features, such as cavity wall ties, suspended ceilings, and a waterproof cavity wall insulation. Built of a steel frame construction in-filled with reinforced concrete which gives clear spans to the main reception room, this was one of the first buildings to be built this way in the country.

Edward VII was a frequent visitor and opened the new ballroom in 1909. The ballroom used the first sprung dance floor in Europe.

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald 02 June 1934.

KING AND QUEEN OF SIAM.

Visit to an Ottinge Residence. THE "TUDOR COTTAGE"

An unexpected and informal visit was paid to "Tudor Cottage," Ottinge, a mile from Lyminge on the Canterbury Road, by the King and Queen of Siam last week. The King and Queen were staying at the time at the "Grand Hotel," Folkestone.

CHARMING RESIDENCE.

Tudor Cottage is a charming residence—a cottage by no means—dating from the sixteenth Century.

A large barn stands at right angles to it towards the main road, and in both house and barn are to be found evidence of still greater age, linking it, though somewhat mistily, with the Canterbury Pilgrims. However, the Tudor Rose is there; the timbering, massive and well preserved, is very mediaeval, and a search in the title deeds would probably reveal many things of great interest. An old world air clings around, and within the building there is every comfort.

Their Majesties of Siam left their can by the roadside, and with their small suite entered the front garden, seeking permission to take photographs. Mr. and Mrs. Oldfield gladly welcomed their royal visitors. Mrs. Oldfield, in an interview said, "I was asked by someone whether I would be presented to the King and Queen, and before I had time to think of anything fine and proper to say or do, the presentation had taken place with a gracious handshake and a cordial word or two.

HOUSE INSPECTED.

The photo-taking over, Mr. and Mrs. Oldfield invited their guests within, and the party made a complete inspection of the house.

The visit occupied about an hour. The King and Queen were very greatly interested and asked many questions, from the size of the fireplaces to the wild flower bowls on the table.

From the Dover Mercury, 3 May, 2012. 80p

HOTEL THEFT CHARGE

A DOVER man has been accused of stealing money from his employers.

Mark Nixon, 47, of Folkestone Road, appeared in court on Monday (April 30) charged with stealing an unknown amount of money belonging to the "Grand Hotel" at Folkestone.

The case has been adjourned.

From the Dover Express, Thursday 18 July 2019.

Ex Grand director in dock over emails.

THE former director of The Grand in Folkestone has appeared in court accused of knowingly sending "false information" about one of the building's residents.

Michael Stainer, 71, has been charged with sending an email to 30 local residents containing information about Peter Cobrin which he knew was false, with the intention of causing Mr Cobrin distress.

Some of those mentioned to have been sent the email include Folkestone MP Damian Collins and Folkestone and Hythe District Council leader David Monk.

Appearing at Folkestone Magistrates' Court on Wednesday last week, Stainer, of The Leas in Folkestone, spoke only to confirm his name, address, and age, and to deny the charge levelled against him.

He will next appear at Canterbury Crown Court on August 7 and has been released on unconditional bail until then.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sam Williams, 24 June 2021.

The Grand hotel in Folkestone sells at auction.

An historic hotel in Kent has sold at auction for £448,000.

Hallam Estates Ltd, the company which owns the freehold of The Grand in Folkestone, was put into administration earlier this year after becoming insolvent.

The Grand has sold at auction. Picture: Gary Browne.

As a result, the Grade II listed building was put up for auction by order of the administrators, Begbies Traynor, based in Brighton.

It was listed with residential property auctioneers, Barnard Marcus.

Details on their site said the sale offered: "Freehold reversionary ground rent investment, together with substantial conference, banqueting and restaurant facilities forming part of the freehold title."

The building has a "coastal location with coastal park and sea views", the listing added.

According to the Land Registry information the administrators are holding, there appear to be 64 leases - 41 leases with under 55 years remaining and 23 long leases.

Ground rent is charged at £3,595.

It was also revealed that "there are proposed works of repair and maintenance to the fabric of the building towards which the freeholder/commercial owner must make a contribution".

The Grand was built more than 100 years ago. Photo: Martin Easdown, Fashionable Folkestone.

The first bid was placed at £275,000, but in the end it went for £448,000.

It is not known who has purchased the site, or what their future plans for it are.

Robert Moss, a director of Hallam Estates, says furniture and other items, such as a grand piano and heirlooms, have been removed from the building this week.

He said: "There is a lot going on.

"They came in and took stuff, including a £25,000 grand piano and heirlooms."

Black and white photo of the Grand hotel's palm court. Photo: Martin Easdown, Fashionable Folkestone.

The Grand - which includes hotel rooms, private apartments, bars and restaurants, was built in 1899 along The Leas and overlooks the English Channel. It has been a popular location for events, including weddings.

Documents posted on Companies House reveal that at a court hearing in December, a judge was satisfied that the Hallam Estates was insolvent on "both a balance sheet and cash flow basis".

In addition, the balance sheet showed a "considerable deficiency".

A post from social media in March revealed staff were shocked and heartbroken over the news that administrators had been appointed.

LICENSEE LIST

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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