Wirral councillors refuse to stay at ‘Rising Damp’ hotel

Oct 20 2010 by Liam Murphy, Heswall News

TWO councillors refused to go to a conference in London after being booked into a hotel with shared toilets and bathrooms.

The Wirral politicians objected to the £50-a-night hotel and rail arrangements, which saw trains arriving and returning after 11pm booked to minimise the cost.

Cllrs Sue Taylor, Steve Niblock and John Salter were originally due to attend the conference on licensing in London last week.

Cllr Taylor said she was reminded of the TV show Rising Damp when she looked at the hotel details, which described itself as “cheap”.

She said: “I am not expecting the Ritz but I am not staying there.”

Cllr Niblock also objected to the hotel and train times and offered to travel down on the day, but was told another Lib Dem would replace him.

He subsequently resigned as Lib Dem spokesman on the licensing committee.

Cllr Salter said he was not happy with the hotel but would stay there. He paid for his own train ticket.