Coventry Hotels

Recently posted on CoventryLive: Plans to turn Coventry hotel into mental health care home spark concern Some residents worry the new facility will cause issues similar to the former hostel on Chace Avenue. Residents have raised concerns regarding plans to potentially turn the closing Chace Hotel on London Road into a mental health care home once it shuts later in the year. The Hotel, officially currently known as The Iliffe, has been a Laura Ashley chain for the past few years but will cease trading in December. Plans are already afoot to turn the building into a care home for people with mental health issues. A meeting was held last week between residents, councillors, mental health providers and care home planners. It seems the main concern from residents relates to the similarly named Chase Hostel, which provided a service to homeless people before it closed some years ago. The hostel became notorious among people living in the area after issues arose from residents staying there. It became a cautionary warning for parents in Willenhall when their children were out of the house alone. Resident Clel Sneddon told CoventryLive: "I know there are concerns from people in the area about what it will be turned into. It's a beautiful old building and if it gets ruined it will be a shame. "I think whoever has bought it needs to be honest about the long term plans for the building." Regarding the hostel, which was situated on nearby Chace Avenue, Clel said: "I think it housed people with mental health problems, drink and drugs issues and things like that. "As kids you used to get told to cross over the road if you were going past someone from the hostel, and I told my kids the same. "Years before it was used during and after the war for people in need, but then later it seemed to get changed to being for people with mental health issues. "It's all demolished now obviously and I think residents were moved to a similar place in Hillfields, with the idea it was more central and closer to facilities they'd need to access." A meeting organised by councillors brought residents and care providers together to raise concerns and discuss plans for the building. Cllr Barbara Mosterman said: "As there were many concerns among the residents I felt it important to organise a public meeting where they could ask their questions directly to the developers and service provider." Cllr Roger Bailey said: "We welcome the opportunity for residents to put their questions and concerns to the people planning to both buy the site and those who would be running it. "Hopefully this will lead to a better relationship between both sides." Local resident Richard Twigger said: "The meeting between local residents and Fairhomes Group PLC was well attended. "I felt that Fairhomes were willing to listen to local residents' concerns over the proposed new role for the Chase Hotel. "The Fairhomes management team attending the meeting were eager to reassure the local residents that the new role of accommodating people with mental health issues, with the longer term aim of helping them back into the community will not adversely effect the locals living near the Chace Hotel site. "The Fairhome's business model proposes a day centre and coffee shop that will be open to and interactive with the local community, Fairhomes are keen to point out that they want to become an integral part of the local community."

I recall the Chace Hotel being refurbished in 1970 when I came under the Crest Hotels umbrella. When it reopened, as Internal Auditor, I had the responsibility of handing it over to the incoming manager.

A post-war view of the then new Hotel. It's looking across what became the original Barracks car park which was later a Multi Storey before the West Orchards development went up.

I know its not been used as a Hotel for some time but looks like this will be the end of the Allesley Hotel buildings. It was so posh once

Hi Neil It says the fire was in "multiple parts" of the building. Arson?

It seems to be standard that old buildings are in line to be developed when they 'accidentally' catch fire. It's not limited to just one area. There seems to be nothing the police can do.

It's been a right state for years tbh. It was being used for Asylum seekers but I think they were then moved up to the Coventry Hill (ex-Trusthouse Hotel) at the other end of the village. I can imagine there is an apartment planning application being penned as we speak. I've mentioned on here before, my Dad knew the former owner Fred Kilpatrick who also owned the Royal Court at one time. We used to go for the Sunday lunches when it was really posh!

Carvery?

Yes Mick - they were lovely And I always remember having a drink downstairs before at that bar and really liking the unusual bench-seat literally at the end of the bar.

Yes. I've lost count of the numerous pubs that close, then suddenly catch fire. Ages ago, the Old Crabmill at Preston Baggot caught fire; it's still boarded up. Similarly, the Seaspray chippy in Henley. Yes, it's SOP.

Wasn't it a Masonic Lodge before Fred bought it?

Not sure what it was before Mick and the Crabmill at Preston Baggot was lovely Slim! I was shocked when I saw that boarded up.