NO one was really surprised by the result of the report on the viability of The Three Cups in Lyme Regis being reconverted into an hotel.
Owners Palmers Brewery, before being persuaded to look seriously at the possibility of the Cups being returned to its former glory, had stated publicly it would never re-open as an hotel again.
An opinion backed by the report from hotel consultants who said that whilst Lyme could sustain another boutique-style hotel, it would cost at least £3 million to bring the Three Cups up to standard and, therefore, it was uneconomical to do so.
In other words, the conclusion in the consultants' report, which cost Palmers a five figure sum, confirmed the brewery’s view all along. It will be very difficult to persuade the people of Lyme that it was a truly independent report.
The conclusion of the consultants were revealed at a press conference last week, attended by only three or four journalists. Just two of us asked questions and attempted to put Palmers’ property agent Nigel Jones under pressure. He batted them away with consummate ease, an art he has perfected after working for the elusive Palmers for so long.
No one from Palmers was present. Managing director John Palmer was on holiday and we were told it was not marketing director Cleeves Palmer’s “area of expertise”.
I asked Nigel Jones whether from a public relations point of view it might have been better for one of the Palmers brothers to be present in view of the fact that a good slice of their business was built on the back of three of their most lucrative earners being in the town, ie The Pilot Boat, The Royal Standard and The Cobb Arms.
Having put up with the eyesore that the Three Cups had become for two decades, didn’t the town at least deserve an explanation from the family?
Mr Jones said they thought it better to make the findings of the report public as soon as possible and John Palmer was away for two weeks.
I also asked if Palmers would consider selling the property in finding a future use for the Cups and if so would they put a covenant on the building to prevent it being used for the sale of alcohol again, as is their normal policy?
Mr Jones said it was unlikely that Palmers would ever sell the building.
I also questioned the safety of the building and Mr Jones said it was being inspected every week.
After the press conference we were taken up to the Cups and given a tour of the whole building.
It brought many memories flooding back for I was a regular customer at the Cups in the 1960s and 1970s, especially when affable Albert Raffo was the licensee. I even found a poster for a promotion I ran in the 1980s entitled “I Love My Palmers’ Pub” which won a newspaper industry award.
I have to say I was surprised how dilapidated the building is. We had been given the impression that it was still in fairly good shape but there would have to be a major demolition exercise at the back and a rebuilding programme to get it to meet current health and safety standards.
Even in the Sixties it must have been a fire hazard, such is the layout of the bedrooms (only two of which have a sea view).
I am not builder so I would not know whether it would take £3 million or more to turn it back into an hotel. But many in Lyme are flabbergasted and highly sceptical of this figure.
So what happens now? Palmers say they intend to consult with local people to come up with a way forward. The Save The Three Cups are putting a brave face on things and concentrating on the consultants’ view that the town would sustain another hotel. They say the fight goes on.
Young Leon Howe plans another protest march and meetings will be held with town councillors.
The least we should expect is for the Cups to be converted into some sort of retail outlet (or possibly a wine bar?) on the ground floor with apartments above and wholesale demolition at the back.
That, of course, would be better than leaving this fine building to deteriorate further, it having been made safe and less offensive to neighbours.
If the £3-£4 million reconversion costs are realistic, it is unlikely that the hotel - whose guest list read like a literary “Who’s Who” over the years - will ever be welcoming guests again.
Footnote: Palmers have recently appointed the excellent Bridport-based PR firm Watershed, who have an impressive portfolio, as their public relations advisers.
As far as many in Lyme are concerned, that’s more difficult than portraying footballer John Terry as a loyal and faithful husband.
A day to remember
LIKE the rest of the congregation I suspect, I will long remember the service of dedication for the new Skrabl organ at St Michael’s Parish Church.
Every so often in this job along comes an engagement which makes me realise that there’s no substitute for being a reporter in a small town like Lyme.
From the time the augmented choir, positioned at the back of the church, combined with the rich tones of the £375,000 worth of Slovenian craftsmanship standing proud and high in the Hassad gallery, making the hairs on the back of neck stand to attention, to the final farewells at the celebratory lunch at the Pilot Boat, it was day to saviour.
It’s always a stressful time when the Bishop comes a calling. Doubly so when you are creating history with the blessing of an organ that will serve the church and town for the next 200 years.
The Bishop, the Right Reverend Dr David Stancliffe, to give his full moniker, was brilliant, delivering a note-free thought provoking sermon full of amusing asides. That’s why he’s a Bishop I suppose.
Team Rector Stephen Skinner gave the occasion the just the right degree of gravitas and organ fundraiser-in-chief Andrew Nicholson was his usual imposing self whilst delivering a concise history of the organ project which has dominated his family life for the past five years.
Clearly churchwardens Tim Bacon and David McLean did a superb organisational job, marshalling their team of helpers. To those of us sat in the pews the whole affair went without a hitch, though I’m sure there was a minor panic or two along the way.
There will be many occasions when I shall look up at that imposing organ and think back to that special Sunday.
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