Royal Norfolk Hotel reopens in Bognor Regis

The Royal Norfolk Hotel will reopen today (Wednesday, June 30) after new owner Leisureplex Hotels bought the landmark building to join its national portfolio of accommodation.

Staff are being recruited for the new era. Leisureplex managing director Paul Sawbridge said: "The Royal Norfolk Hotel is an atmospheric building and sits well alongside our many other historic buildings.

"We are delighted to have a presence in West Sussex which has some of the most interesting places to visit in the whole of England.

"Demand for our hotels continues to be very strong and

we are thrilled to be playing our part in the revival of tourism within the UK."

Nick Stuart-Nicolson, the chairman and president of Bognor's chamber of commerce, said: "I wholeheatedly welcome this. It safeguards the Royal Norfolk's future. It is important to the town the hotel is in use, because so many groups meet there, and it's important to the town's tourism image the hotel does well.

"Bognor was starting to suffer from the fact the hotel was not there any more. The building would have started to deteriorate as well if it had been left empty for much longer."

The 43-bedroom Royal Norfolk dates back to 1830 and its Grade II listed status reflects the iconic appearance along the seafront of its imposing facade.

It becomes the oldest of the 19 properties which Leisureplex now owns. It has been shut since February 28 because of financial difficulties at its previous owner, the Christ for the Nations UK religious charity.

The hotel's 30 staff lost their jobs.

Attempts by two purchasers to buy the three-star hotel, for a reported price of between 1m and 1.75m, were known to have fallen through before Leisureplex's success.

What do you think? Send a letter to [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click here to add yourself to our readers' map.

What do you think? Send a letter to [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click here to add yourself to our readers' map.

The company will be putting one of its most experienced managers, Lucasz Jans, in charge of the Royal Norfolk. Its purchase of the hotel will enable its sister company, Alfa Travel, to begin coach holiday tours to Bognor.

Town councillors welcomed the news about the hotel.

Cllr Adam Cunard said it was a boost to Bognor.