End of an era as last part of Falmouth Beach Hotel closes today
12:00pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News
Staff at the former Falmouth Beach Hotel’s health and fitness club have become the latest casualties of last year’s devastating fire.
The Beach Club will close at the end of today (March 6) with the loss of at least eight jobs. News of the closure comes weeks after it was announced that the site of the hotel opposite Gyllyngvase Beach has gone up for sale, complete with planning permission for a new hotel.
In a letter to Beach Club members, Hazel Evans, proprietor of the hotel, said: “As you were aware, I have been deciding if I retire from the hospitality trade and sell the site. I have now decided to fully retire and hence will be selling the site and all associated buildings, including The Beach Club.
“It is therefore necessary to close the Beach Club as there will not be enough trained staff to work within the club. I would like to thank each and every member for their past loyalty to the Beach Club and I know many of you have been using the facilities for years.”
The news has prompted around 60 comments on the hotel’s facebook page with many people expressing their disappointment and support for Mrs Evans.
Hayley Palmer said: “Such a shame, let’s hope swim instructors are able to teach elsewhere.
“My little boy loves his lessons and has gained so much confidence.”
Jules Kober added: “After the year Hazel has had I think she deserves to retire and enjoy her life, good luck Hazel, sit back and enjoy.”
Robin Watson said: “I will really miss it. It’s by far the best fitness place in Falmouth, great facilities and lovely friendly helpful staff.”
Bob Green said: “Outstandingly the best leisure club in Falmouth. It will be a great loss to the town and I had just started there and was really starting to enjoy.”
Tina Alexander: “The staff at the beach club are great and have worked hard to get the club back up and running, we are very disappointed that you have come to this outcome, we have been coming here for a long time.”
The Falmouth Beach Hotel had stood overlooking Gyllyngvase Beach for almost 30 years until flames, fanned by gale force winds, ripped through much of the four storey building last April. Only 16 of its 120 bedrooms survived the fire. Pictures and video of the blazing hotel can be seen at thepacket.co.uk.
Plans for a replacement hotel were conditionally approved by Cornwall Council on January 5 and just a few weeks later it was announced that the site was up for sale.
Related links:
Falmouth Beach Hotel rebuild plan given green light
Falmouth Beach Hotel site up for sale
Falmouth Beach Hotel Fire LATEST: Fire ravaged hotel to return 'bigger and better'
Falmouth Beach Hotel rebuild plans go on public display
Demolition underway at fire gutted Falmouth Beach Hotel
Falmouth Beach Hotel will need to be demolished
Falmouth Beach Hotel fire is 'massive'
Wave says...
1:05pm Wed 6 Mar 13
I intend to cover it in proper sand from perhaps the dunes of Dubai and call it Gylly Beach 2. A more classy place for the elite to play on, the top Beach of Falmouth. I suppose I will have to create a pedestrian bridge over the road and down onto a pontoon on the sea.
That's the price of progress.
And yes it will have a Pendennis bouncy castle.