Hotel News & Gossip

[SteveH]

ONE of the UK's largest hotel chains is launching its 2023 recruitment drive as it looks to fill 435 positions across the UK.

This includes 10 positions in Wales.

Travelodge has achieved sales growth year on year for the last eight years. The group operates hotels in the UK, Ireland and Spain and annually welcomes 20 million business and leisure customers. It employs more than 10,000 colleagues.

Through an in-house management development programme called Aspire, people who acquire work with Travelodge have the opportunity to develop a career from an entry level position.

Travelodge has 26 hotels in Wales including sites in Llandudno, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Bangor and Caernarfon.

Positions include full and part time roles. In Llandudno, a job is being advertised for a hotel manager and in Caernarfon, a night reception team member.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23301145.travelodge-launches-recruitment-drive---apply-llandudno-job/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Couple from Kent snap up Llandudno's Swn Y Mor Hotel

A COUPLE from Kent have snapped up a Llandudno hotel for the asking price of ?640,000.

Swn Y Mor, a 12-bedroom guest house on Llandudno?s seafront, has been purchased by Colin and Sandra Lewis.

Buying a hotel has been a "long-term dream" for the pair; the purchase will be their first business venture together.

In a joint statement, Sandra and Colin said: ?We are over the moon to begin this next chapter of our professional lives together. We have so many exciting plans for the business and are eager to get started.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23304869.couple-kent-snap-llandudnos-swn-y-mor-hotel/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

YOUNGSTERS were spotted in Llandudno last night (February 7) seemingly attempting to break into a closed hotel along the town?s promenade.

This was at the Queens Hotel, on Clonmel Street, which has been shut since May 2020.

Cllr Mostyn Jones, who represents the Crwst ward on Llanrwst Town Council, took the below video after noticing them at about 7pm last night.
He said the teenagers dispersed after they appeared to see him talking on the phone to police.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23306818.youths-seen-trying-force-way-in-llandudno-hotel/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Guest house in one of Llandudno's oldest buildings is up for sale
The 10 bedroom site once housed the town hall and is now on the market

The building on Church Walks had once been the Town Hall (Neuadd y Dref) - which opened in 1854.

It remained the town hall for nearly 50 years before later becoming a guest house. Now the 10-bedroomed Capri has been has placed up for sale.

It is on the market with estate agent Bryan Davies and Associates. The four-star rated site has a price tag of ?430,000.

Read more https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/guest-house-one-llandudnos-oldest-26266550

[SteveH]

LLANDUDNO'S HOLIDAY ACCOMODATION ZONES AND HMOS
Conwy County Borough Council are reviewing their county wide planning strategy, and part of this review includes their policies around Houses of Multiple Occupation and Llandudno's Holiday Accommodation Zone.

Houses of Multiple Occupation are usually flats with shared bathrooms and kitchens similar to much privately rented student accommodation. At the moment the council restricts the development of new HMOs in an effort to drive up the standard of privately rented accommodation and resists the conversion of hotels and guesthouses in parts of Llandudno into flats to ensure that the town retains a thriving hospitality trade.

We were very surprised to find out that the council's leadership plan to relax their planning rules, allowing more properties in Llandudno to be converted into HMOs. This potentially includes hotels and guesthouses, which risks a knock-on effect on the jobs and businesses supported by the local hospitality trade.

The council leadership's plans at a recent council meeting, and were delighted when the committee agreed not to support these new plans.

I only wish CCBC had a better track record of learning by their mistakes...........

Conwy Council bedsit ban to be lifted in bid to solve 'homelessness crisis'
The rules around flats of 'multiple occupancy' will be eased as cabinet member accepted there was 'nervousness' around their impact on seaside towns

The council ban was initially introduced to regenerate seaside towns such as Colwyn Bay    after years of socio-economic problems linked to absent landlords, squalid conditions and crime. But cabinet member for housing Cllr Emily Owen proposed a lifting of the ban as a solution to its housing crisis, presenting a 100-page report by independent consultants ata meeting in Bodlondeb this week.

"I really do appreciate the previous desire to have as few HMOs as possible. I would like to acknowledge the wider changing circumstances relating to planning legislation, the increase in unaffordable housing, and the role HMOs have as part of a balanced housing solution. As with everything, things change all the time, and we need to be brave enough to adapt.

"I appreciate there is a lot of nervousness regarding HMOs as they have proven to be difficult to manage in the past, but as with everything, times change, and the need for that lower market rent in Conwy is huge. We have a very large number of people in affordable housing need. HMOs would help meet this need in some circumstances."

The same report was rejected by the economy and place scrutiny committee before Christmas. Cllr Owen said she understood the concerns of having "streets full" of HMOs but said rules introduced as part of the plans would prevent such an over-concentration.

As part of the plans, limits will be put on how close HMOs can be in terms of their radius from one another. Two HMOs also won?t be allowed to ?sandwich? another residential property.

Cllr Owen said the policy change would instead give Conwy more control, rather than losing appeals made by developers to the planning inspectorate. Cllr Owen added, ?It is absolutely not reverting back to how things were.?

She said all large HMOs would need to have a management plan, including an upper limit of residents.

full story https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-council-bedsit-ban-lifted-25947298

Conwy County Borough Council have agreed to a Call in of the Cabinet Committees decision to plan to relax the rules around HMOs in Llandudno. 

minute no 534 2022/2023 cabinet  PDF available in next few weeks?

UPDATE.........from Gogarth Councillor

Update on the Call in debate regarding the planned changes to the HMO policy locally.  In short, the committee didnt support the Call in, so have agreed to allow the new policy to go ahead, although it will be considered again in the future.  There were two votes on the issue which largely split down party lines  the Labour, independent and Plaid Cymru councillors who had been supportive of our concerns last time changed their minds, and I understand that they were whipped into voting to support the Councils Labour/Plaid Cymru/independent leadership.

We will continue to challenge this new policy  as mentioned above, there will likely be another vote on it in the future.  If you are interested, you can watch the meeting online at https://www.youtube.com/live/BG4gBuDnyUE?feature=share&t=617

[SteveH]

A LLANDUDNO hotel has been named in the top 10 in two of the UK?s 2022 TripAdvisor Awards, and is looking for more success this year.

The Elm Tree was named the sixth in the ?Best Romantic Hotel? list and eighth in the ?Best Small Hotel? award for 2022, ranking it the number one hotel in Llandudno according to TripAdvisor.

The awards are a coup for the business, which only reopened in May 2021 after a 14-month closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Owner Lynette Esposito does not take the awards for granted, and the hard work taken to achieve them.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23333307.llandudno-hotel-named-top-10-two-tripadvisor-awards/

[SteveH]

Bodysgallen Hall Hotel could be getting an extension to its spa - if planners give the go-ahead. Mr Elgan Roberts has applied to Conwy County Council?s planning department, seeking permission to build a new conservatory and garden room at the hotel on Bodysgallen Lane two miles from Llandudno.

Mr Roberts wants to build the extension on the hotel?s existing spa facility building, which also needs listed building consent. Located in Bodysgallen Hall?s extensive 200-acre grounds, the spa buildings were formerly part of a farm complex, which is surrounded by woodland.

The spa buildings were erected in 1996 and lie adjacent to a stone, slate-roofed farmhouse, which is also considered to be of moderate significance as an example of a 19th Century agricultural dwelling. If the application gets the go-ahead, the building will be constructed and painted with sand-textured paint, a pitched slate roof, and painted-timber windows.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llandudno-luxury-hotel-spa-announces-26540888

[SteveH]

Llandudno Bay hotel electric car charging points plans
Applicant Lei Ma has applied to Conwy Council?s planning department, seeking permission to install solar-powered electric car chargers at the Llandudno Bay Hotel.

Mr Ma, of Liverpool-based company Ever Bright Inn Ltd, wants to install the electric car charging points within the hotel?s existing rear car park.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23422341.llandudno-hotel-electric-car-charging-points-plans/


Maintenance work on Llandudno's Grand Hotel starts
WORK has begun on the Grand Hotel in Llandudno, with a revamp of the building exterior underway.

Town residents spotted workers adjusting and updating the signage, but it is not known if this is all that will be done to the hotel.

A ten-year regeneration plan for the town has proposed a public/private partnership to buy and operate the hotel and restore its once-brilliant reputation.

Many residents have called for the building to be replenished for several years, with some believing it should be demolished altogether.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23419859.look-maintenance-work-llandudnos-grand-hotel-starts/

[SteveH]

SIGNAGE work at the Grand Hotel in Llandudno has been completed, with the move inspiring hope among residents for more change.

A new golden sign has been installed on the side of the hotel, after work on the project began early last week.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23431066.signage-work-grand-hotel-llandudno-completed/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The bed and breakfast offering a 'lifestyle' business close to the newest 'Welsh Riviera' beach
The Northwood Guest House in Rhos-on-Sea is available as the owners look to retire

This has seen the site upgraded and earn a good reputation for quality accommodation. It has now come on the market as the owners look to retire - although they will continue to trade as normal until a deal is done.

The site is on the market with Christie and Co for ?495,000.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/bed-breakfast-offering-lifestyle-business-26648738?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Llandudno hotel's 24-hour alcohol bid worries local residents

RESIDENTS are campaigning against an application for a Llandudno hotel to sell booze 24 hours a day.

One47 Group Limited has applied to Conwy County Council?s licensing department, seeking permission to supply alcohol at the Llandudno Hotel on Church Walks.

The group, which also runs the One47 club, wants permission to supply alcohol on the premises between 9am and 11pm Monday to Sunday and open to the public between 9 am and 11.59 pm.

But the business has also applied for permission to sell alcohol to people staying in the hotel and their guests 24 hours a day.

Residents say, if granted, the application could turn the hotel into a ?drinking den?.

Now residents on Tudno Street and Church Walks have formed a group objecting to the plans.

The plans are due to be discussed at a future licensing committee meeting.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23478361.llandudno-hotels-24-hour-alcohol-bid-worries-local-residents/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Llandudno hotel's 24-hour alcohol bid changed after residents voiced concerns
One47 Group Limited said it had been unaware the impact a 24 hour licence would have on locals

Plans for a twenty-four-hour drinking licence at a Llandudno hotel appear to have been withdrawn after residents campaigned. At a Conwy County Council licensing sub-committee hearing today (Thursday), residents slammed the One47 Group Limited?s plans to sell booze 24 hours a day to guests staying at the Llandudno Hotel on Church Walks.

The group, which owns 10 other businesses (pubs, bars, hotels, and nightclubs) in the area, also applied for a licence to supply alcohol to the public (non-hotel residents) between 9am and 11pm, opening until 11.59pm. But this led to residents fearing noise, anti-social behaviour, and late-night drinking in the area, and some locals said they already put up with drinkers urinating in alleys, stealing, and disturbance.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llandudno-hotels-24-hour-alcohol-26844689?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

There have been many reports from the hotels in Llandudno about youths entering their establishments and going into rooms without permission and generally being a nuisance.

If this happens and you can, record their actions in the hotel, tell them to leave the location, call police and tell them that you have called, do not get into any arguments.

To stop them, think how they are getting into the hotel, try to make it harder for them, is there someone in reception who can challenge any unwanted. Do they have to ring reception to have the door unlocked, consider signs informing guests about CCTV

Message Sent By
PC Llinos Hughes
(North Wales Police, NPT, Central )

[SteveH]

Llandudno guest house up for sale for just ?390,000
A LLANDUDNO bed and breakfast has gone on the market after 18 ?successful? years.

Karden House, located at 16 Charlton Street, is up for sale for ?390,000 with estate agent St David?s Commercial.

The four-star guest house is made up of 10 lettings rooms with en suites, a ?good quality? owners? accommodation on its top floor.
The site also includes a public lounge area, dining area and bar.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23517880.llandudno-guest-house-sale-just-390-000/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589



The mansion where giant weeds had taken over set to reopen after ?1m transformation
Caer Rhun Hall closed in January 2020 - months after former owner collapsed into administration

After being left empty for nearly two years a mansion hotel became a "sorry state" with water damage on the inside and giant weeds crawling up the walls. The once grand Caer Rhun Hall in Conwy closed in January 2020 - months after former owner Northern Powerhouse Developments collapsed into administration.

But thanks to a former chef - who told his new employers about the Welsh mansion - the site was finally sold in 2021. The buyer was Tokyo Industries - a brand that owned city bars, clubs and sites in the UK and America.

They were looking for something different to meet the needs of clients who wanted to escape busy city life. In Caer Rhun they saw the potential of a property that could be brought back to its former glory.

More than ?1m later, with the leaks sealed, the overgrown gardens tamed and transformed, they are on the home stretch to reopen the grand building, which was built for Major-General Gough in 1895.

They aim to be open by the start of July - operating as a wedding and events venue and a hotel. There are further plans for expansion with more rooms and a spa.

This all dates back to a chat three years ago with one of the chefs at Tokyo Industries, which was started by Aaron Mellor in 1997 and now operates 47 bars, clubs, venues in the UK and seven International sites in Dubai, Palm Springs, LA, Croatia and Ibiza.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mansion-giant-weeds-taken-over-26896898?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Two major seafront hotels in Llandudno go up for sale for ?8.5m
The Marine and the County hotels were reopened in 2021 after shutting when Shearings collapsed

Two major Llandudno hotels have gone up for sale for ?8.5m. The Marine and County sites in Llandudno closed in 2020 when Shearings collapsed.

They reopened in 2021 under the management of Bespoke Hotels - bringing jobs and visitors back to the prominent seafront sites.

Now the hotels have been placed up for sale with Christie and Co. They both continue to trade as normal.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/two-major-seafront-hotels-llandudno-26917182?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589