Developer vows to press on with west Wirral hotel

Oct 26 2011 by Liam Murphy, Bromborough and Bebington News

THE man behind an exclusive new hotel in Wirral said it will be open next year after funding is put in place to complete the works.

Work had been progressing on the Royal Hilbre Hotel close to the Royal Liverpool golf course but appeared to have stopped recently – sparking rumours it may never open.

But Keith Ellis, who is leading the development of the hotel in Hoylake, insisted they are now nearing the completion of negotiations over lending for the project with a major bank and are on track to open in 2012.

The hotel had been due to open this year, but locals had noticed little progress in recent weeks.

But Mr Ellis said they had already had key organisations from the golfing world asking about bookings for next year’s ladies golf tournament and they aim to be ready for the event.

He said: “I’m doing this because I think west Wirral needs this. We had planning permission before anyone knew about the golf, and we’re aiming to be open by the middle of next year.”

The £1.5m hotel, on Meols Drive, is in a former private nursing home, which itself was once a grand Victorian residence.

The building backs on to the historic Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

The developers behind the Meols Drive hotel – to be known as the Royal Hilbre Boutique Hotel and Spa – said their aim was to “provide a luxurious and sophisticated hotel with top class facilities , while restoring a landmark and regenerating the immediate area”.

Local councillor John Hale said the development was welcomed and added: “I hope whatever happens is sorted out soon and it goes ahead.

“It’s a very good concept and something different for Hoylake.”