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Plans for stars’ hotel
• SIMON Wroe’s article about Olivelli’s hotel (Show’s over? Stage stars’ favourite hotel faces the axe, April 2) paints a misleading picture about The Bedford Estate’s plans for its properties in Store Street after the existing leases expire in December.
Talk of “the wrecker’s ball” and “major redevelopment of the area” is emotive and incorrect. Tenants in the street have been advised of the approximate extent of their dilapidations liabilities in accordance with their lease terms, but neither Dominic Spina nor any other tenants have been “…told…to pay a dilapidations fee…”
No letters to this effect have been sent by the estate.
If Mr Wroe had spoken to other traders in the street he would have found out that I have had meetings with most of them in recent weeks. I have assured them all (including Mr Spina) that the one thing that is certain is that a major redevelopment of the estate’s holdings in the street is not on the cards. Like any commercial organisation, we have to consider all options when leases expire, and this includes examining the potential for possible changes of use, one of which could be the conversion of the hotel to flats.
These deliberations have to remain confidential until decisions have been made.
If we opt to pursue any significant changes, planning permissions will be required. When any planning applications have been submitted, the proposals will be in the public arena and subject to scrutiny through the planning process in the usual way.
It is slightly disingenuous of Mr Spina to protest that he cannot “bring the place up to the standard you would like” just as the lease is approaching its end. Olivelli’s have held this lease for many years, paying a nominal ground rent and always knowing when it would expire.
MC DE RIVAZ
Steward
The Bedford Estates, WC1
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