The future of Chester's historic Grosvenor Hotel - what we know
It's Cheshire’s only five-star large hotel
The Chester Grosvenor hotel(Image: Sallie Ehlen)
The company operating Chester city centre's historic Grosvenor Hotel confirmed yesterday afternoon that it will close its doors on September 30. Bespoke Hotels said in a statement it has "taken the very difficult decision to cease operating" the Grade II listed, five-star hotel.
In a separate statement issued by the Grosvenor Estate, which owns the freehold of the hotel, it said that ensuring the long term future of the Grosvenor was its "priority", adding that plans are being developed to refurbish the iconic Eastgate Street hotel and to find a new operator.
The Grosvenor Estate appointed specialist hotel management company Bespoke to take over the running of The Chester Grosvenor back in 2015. Cheshire Live understands that the shock announcement over its future was made to staff on Wednesday.
One employee told us that the team had been left "heartbroken". In a letter to staff, seen by Cheshire Live, it states: "We recognise that this decision will be deeply upsetting and may lead to the loss of jobs for many colleagues, and will impact our customers and guests, that you have given great service to over many years."
The announcement comes after unsafe concrete was discovered above the function suites of the building, which dates back to 1865.
Bespoke Hotels statement
In a statement provided to Cheshire Live, Bespoke Hotels said: "Following the recent discovery of RAAC above the function suites, the scale and complexity of the works required to put a long-term solution in place, alongside necessary refurbishment works, we have taken the very difficult decision to cease operating The Chester Grosvenor.
"As a result, it is our intention to close the hotel on 30th September 2026. Our immediate focus is on supporting our colleagues in the weeks ahead.
"We closed our conference suites after the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) during recent surveys. The safety of our guests and colleagues is of the utmost importance and the affected area will remain closed as a precaution. All other public areas of the hotel, as well as the car park, are unaffected and continue to operate as normal."
Grosvenor Estate statement
A spokesperson for Grosvenor, which owns the freehold of the hotel, said: "We are sorry to acknowledge that Bespoke Hotels has taken the decision to cease operating the hotel following its summer closure, and for the impact this will have on those whose roles may be affected. Our priority now is to ensure the long-term future of the hotel given its importance to Chester.
"As an organisation steeped in the history of city and that is deeply committed to its long-term success, we are developing plans for a major refurbishment supported by significant investment and the appointment of a new operator. The refurbishment will protect the future of Cheshire’s only five-star large hotel, strengthening Chester’s tourism and hospitality economy."