Chesterfield Online Forum

General Category => Chesterfield Discussion => Topic started by: Old Cruser on January 16, 2015, 10:58:17 AM

Title: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Old Cruser on January 16, 2015, 10:58:17 AM
According to the D.T they have problems - big ones.
Staff were not paid last month, what's going on?
Toby Perkins is involved in discussions with the owners.
Lots of concerned people out there I would imagine, we are coming up to the 'Wedding season' and there are probably stressed brides wondering if they will have to look elsewhere.
Meanwhile the staff of the hotel will want their money!!
Why are firms allowed to carry on knowing that money is not in the pot for wages.
This has to be wrong.

Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Old Cruser on January 16, 2015, 01:22:49 PM
We went to a wedding there last summer, the ceremony was held in a lovely 'dressed' room. Later we moved to a larger room for the buffet/ entertainment again it was lovely.
Didn't have daughter with us but noted the access from reception to top bar had a lift for wheelchair users.
Maybe it's had a bit spent on it since your visit nichchuk?
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Fly on January 23, 2015, 10:04:59 PM
Isn't this called competition. Other hotels in the area are doing better business.
I know it's an iconic building, but come on.
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Fly on January 23, 2015, 10:15:43 PM
But it hasn't !
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: therealjr on January 23, 2015, 10:21:03 PM
The Chesterfield Hotel is old tired and needs a large amount of money spending on it.
It's doubtful however that given the physical properties of the building enough could be done.
Sad but thats the way of the world
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: therealjr on January 23, 2015, 10:33:15 PM
The interior is the issue. The floors are creak, the corridors are far too narrow for proper access in the modern world and last time I stayed there the bathroom was in need of a major refurb.
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Old Cruser on January 24, 2015, 04:18:23 PM
Closes on 31st January.

Oh dear that's quick!
How sad!
Still if they can't pay their staff they have no option!

I do hope someone come along and takes it over though.
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Pete on January 24, 2015, 05:18:28 PM
therealjr nails it...

A few years ago I hosted a meeting in Chesterfield and recommended the Chesterfield Hotel for visiting guests - I also booked in as usually the meetings in the bar were more fruitful than the main event.

I took one look at the room on the day of the event and decided to walk home after a good sesh in the bar.

Anecdote; We had our evening meal at Renato's just up the road and left with a nearly full bottle of wine we had paid for but not drunk. The manager who was on duty saw us with it said to one of his staff "If they think they are going to f*cking drink that here, they've another f*cking think coming." He didn't realise one of our party was stood near enough to hear this... The ensuing argument was hilarious - no way for a professional manager to talk...
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Fly on January 24, 2015, 05:38:48 PM
Our_Lass's brother had his 40th birthday bash here about 9 years ago.
A party of 11 of us paid £11 each for a meal.
The special starter was available, yorkshire pudding with the Hotel's special onion grave.
Half of us declined as we had ordered the beef roast dinner with said yorkshire pud and the hotel's special gravy.
When the dinners were being brought out to us, very slowly, we began to notice a few things.
The Mange Tout appeared to be all but raw, the mash resembled Smash, cos it was, and there was a few york puds missing on some plates. Apparently they had run out !!
One of the worst meals I have ever had out.

I know it's probably under different owners now and things might have improved, obviously not in some areas, but it will still be a shame to see it close. Especially for the staff  :(
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Gerty Gumdrop on January 24, 2015, 08:52:05 PM
I don't ever recall having a good meal there, despite dining on several occasions.  These were other peoples choices.  The last time was a Sunday lunch for friends daughters birthday.  16 of us were booked in at the time.  Not only was the meal mediocre, the service was absolutely appalling.  In fact, if my sense of humour had not deserted me at the time, I could have compared it to Fawlty Towers.

Clearly something had gone horribly wrong in the kitchen, and the waitresses were bearing the brunt at the expense of the customers.  I had my meal unceremoniously slapped in front of me,then  a dish of veg literally chucked on the table so much so that the peas jumped out of the dish.  We all looked at each other with wide eyes and shrugged shoulders, mouthing "Whoops" at each other.  Someone began to giggle down the table, so we all started then.  Then waitresses were not happy and from that point onwards it just got worse. 

That meal went down in history, as we've never had anything like it from start to finish  :-?
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Fly on January 24, 2015, 08:59:02 PM
Peas !! Posh gits !
Was the old lady still a waitress at that time ?
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Gerty Gumdrop on January 24, 2015, 10:14:11 PM
Oooh, I know.  Living it large with the peas.

Yes, it WAS one of the old waitresses who slapped my meal down.  I forgot to mention that that when she came round with the mashed potato, she slapped that down too so it landed like a flat cake on my plate!  Well, not just mine, it was everyones.  Everyone lurched sideways and held their napkins up to their chest when it was their turn to be served.  Someone actually thanked her, but she stomped off muttering.  It would have been worth filming, but not everyone had a fancy mobile at the time.

You really couldn't have made it up!
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Old Cruser on January 24, 2015, 10:17:27 PM
Oooh, I know.  Living it large with the peas.

Yes, it WAS one of the old waitresses who slapped my meal down.  I forgot to mention that that when she came round with the mashed potato, she slapped that down too so it landed like a flat cake on my plate!  Well, not just mine, it was everyones.  Everyone lurched sideways and held their napkins up to their chest when it was their turn to be served.  Someone actually thanked her, but she stomped off muttering.  It would have been worth filming, but not everyone had a fancy mobile at the time.

You really couldn't have made it up!

 :)) Sounds as if you coped with it very well Gerty.
Not too sure I would have  ;)
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Gerty Gumdrop on January 24, 2015, 10:29:49 PM
Well I have to say OC, that the crossness wore off as everything became more ludicrous.

Despite it being the most amusing thing to happen in years, we all insisted that our friend complain.  The problem being that he paid for everyone's lunch, and there were 16 of us.  It's for his handicapped daughter's birthday.  Not much pleases her, but a gathering of all her favourite people is what she looks forward to all year.  I figured that, given the amount he was spending he should be entitled to a refund of some description.  It's so long ago now that I can't remember the outcome, but I think he got something back.

Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Fly on January 24, 2015, 10:53:33 PM
We never asked for a 'refund' of sorts.
I've only been in the place twice in my life. First time was a golf sale. bought a set of clubs.
Second time was the meal mentioned.
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Old Cruser on January 25, 2015, 11:05:40 AM
I would hope he did get something back and that the staff were reprimanded - not good for business is it !

As for the hotel now, I suppose it's wait and see if anyone takes it on, the hotel we stayed at in York was old and needed work  ( new pipes - remember the leak in our room? )
The people who own it now are doing this work early this year and I suspect will do other work as well.
Lets hope the same happens to the Chesterfield Hotel!
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Umpire on January 25, 2015, 06:44:19 PM
I will be surprised if it reopens.I think the opening of the Casa was the beginning of the end for the Chesterfield Hotel.
I live fairly near there and most days when you go past the car park is packed I presume with conferences and people doing the speeding course LOL.I suspect they also have a fair trade in overnight stays and I can't see anybody in Chesterfield taking them on.
We shall see.
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Old Cruser on January 25, 2015, 07:55:58 PM
It's not a listed building then ?
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: therealjr on January 25, 2015, 08:37:34 PM
Appears not.
http://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/Branches/Chesterfield/Website/Files/Documents/Planning/Listed%20Buildings/Chesterfield%20Borough%20Listed%20Buildings%20ABE%20-%20LOC.pdf

Though looking at some buildings that are listed I'm astounded it isn't.
Be interesting to see what happens next. Years ago someone wanted to replace all the old wooden sash windows in the town hall with modern u-pvc ones made by the councils own factory. Would have saved a fortune in maintenance and heating costs. The boroughs planning officer decided he wasn't happy about that so he proceeded to get listed building status for the town hall to prevent it!!!
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Old Cruser on January 28, 2015, 05:26:48 PM
Sad Day seeing the closure of this hotel.
It's the bottom line that I found 'interesting'
What will they decide to do with 'the site' ???


Chesterfield Hotel is to close at the weekend, it has been confirmed.

The hotel, which has been a major employer and social venue in the town since 1877, will shut on Saturday.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins said: “It’s a sad day for Chesterfield.

“My heart goes out to the staff who are losing their jobs.”

Earlier this month, Mr Perkins held urgent talks with the hotel owners after staff contacted him to say they had not been paid for working in December.

Meanwhile, members of the hotel’s former leisure centre are still hundreds of pounds out of pocket despite being promised a full refund after it closed last April.

Staff and leisure centre customers are currently in the process of being paid, according to Mr Perkins.

The firm which owns Chesterfield Hotel is still active, according to Companies House.

Mr Perkins said the owners are to commission a study to consider what to do with the Malkin Street site after the hotel closes.
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Old Cruser on January 28, 2015, 08:44:47 PM
Yes it does doesn't it?

What to do with 'the site' ? made me wonder nicheuk.

Hope not I will be sad if they do that
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: therealjr on January 28, 2015, 09:32:44 PM
I can't see much potential given the obvious constraints on any new build.  Office space in in the town centre isn't exactly lacking (court house, town hall neddc to name but 3) traffic and railway noise would mean flats would have to be well soundproofed. It could end up as either a white elephant or a decaying eyesore
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Old Cruser on January 31, 2015, 05:48:03 PM
My step daughter has been for an emotional farewell today - she worked there a few years ago.
Title: Re: Chesterfield Hotel
Post by: Old Cruser on February 01, 2015, 02:40:32 PM
Did anyone go in and take a photo of one of the bedrooms?
I hear from the  facebook olld chesterfield site that it was available for people to do this?