Fao The Builder

[Zacs-Master]

Sorry, TB, not a DIY question. I believe you live in the Exeter area (?). If so, what’s the local opinion on The Royal Clarence not being restored as an Hotel? I know the building very well, having been involved in the big refurb there about 15 years ago.

[wolf63]

I left him a message on Facebook but I'm not sure how often he checks in there.

[The Builder]

My apologies, Zacs, but I've only now logged on and seen this. Thanks to Wolf as well.

Mmmm, a modern dilemma, Zacs. Sentiment says that, being the oldest hotel in the country (although I'm not sure how they define that), it should be restored. But not necessarily as a hotel.

Just for once, I think pragmatism is outweighing sentimentality. I'm really interested in your previous involvement . I had no idea. Anyway, you'll know the physical limitations of the site. It has cost a small fortune to get it to its present condition. That's just to get it safe and ready to proceed.
The logistics are hell. Access is next to non-existent.

I've played in the ballroom a couple of times. All our gear had to be dumped outside while we drive off in search of a non-existent parking space. Just to get that far, you have to contact the desk by intercom to have them lower a traffic bollard, just so you can get to the entrance.

The quite grand main entrance and staircases had already been made to look ridiculous by adding a clunky system of ramps to cater for wheelchairs. In our society, such access, disabled or otherwise, should be built-in at design stage. It's rarely successful added retrospectively.

It's no longer a place for a modern hotel, Zacs. My feeling is that most locals realise the limitations, and are sympathetic to the decision to sell it for retail/catering/offices or whatever.

Given its position right opposite the Cathedral, I guess the facade will be kept as far as possible. That's just a guess, but “facade development” is a big thing these days.

One silly thing: playing there once, (we're just a background music type jazzy quartet who play over dinners and such), our bass player was asked to turn down as the ballroom is partly over the main dining room. Apparently, we were rattling the soup. Sadly, the place was no longer fit for the way society operates today.

Having said all that, it is being offered as a hotel site, but I can't see that happening somehow.

[Zacs-Master]

Many thanks wolf.

Thanks for the detailed response, TB. I thought there would be more consternation about it not being restored as a Hotel. BTW, it was, apparently the first ever place to actually call itself the, at the time, rather avant-guard word 'Hotel'. I suppose after 3 years of an eyesore in the beautiful Cathedral Yard, people are ready to accept anything. I've met Mr Brownsword several times and I bet it wasn't an easy decision as it was the place he met Chef Micheal Caines which was the catalyst for the Abode Hotels chain.

Lets just say I was heavily involved in the refurbishment of the property in 2005 and got to know just about every nook and cranny. It's quite emotional to see something which was a large part of your life for 2/3 years completely destroyed. I feel very sorry for the staff and those more elderly Exeter residents for whom The Clarence was a fixture and feature of their lives.

Thanks again.