Croydon's Aerodrome Hotel not closing, says owner

EXCLUSIVE

by Ross Lidbetter

ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk

The future of the Aerodrome Hotel is "100 per cent safe" - despite it being put into administration.

Owner John Power says the renowned hotel, on Croydon's Purley Way, is definitely not closing, but simply being "restructured".

The businessman believes this is the best way to safeguard jobs in the current economic climate.

When asked what he meant by restructuring, Mr Power said: "It will certainly not involve any job losses, that is for definite.

"There needs to be a lot more marketing done with the hotel and it may even involve becoming part of a larger chain of hotels.

"We've spent a great deal of money on the hotel, but in the current market I think it probably needs one of the larger groups to come in to take it forward that next step."

Mr Power believes the Aerodrome's business could improve with a central booking system that a chain could offer.

He added: "We don't want to scare people - this is actually a very positive thing.

"My plan is to safeguard everybody's job in this current climate. The hotel's future is 100 per cent safe.

"The Aerodrome will always continue to run as a hotel. It's business as normal."

A statement has appeared on the Purley Way hotel's website which reads: "D C Chubb and E M Shires were appointed as joint administrators of Aerodrome Hotel Limited on June 9, 2009 to manage its affairs, business and property."

Whilst going into administration is usually associated with severe financial difficulties, Mr Power says this is not the case.

He explained: "We are simply restructuring the business. It's stronger now than it's ever been.

"We have more than doubled the turnover and I want to see the business continue to thrive and grow."

On its website, the Aerodrome is described as "one of the major hotels in the area".

It has had a series of name changes over the years, having been called Croydon Court Hotel, Forte Posthouse Hotel and Posthouse Hotel, and now has 110 bedrooms after expanding.

Many famous people have stayed there in the past, including King George VI, pilot Amy Johnson and Charlie Chaplin.

Mr Power said: "We bought the hotel about seven years ago and nothing worked.

"There were notices as you entered the bedrooms saying don't turn on the showers because of leaks.

"We had a rolling programme and have gone through refurbishing all the existing rooms."

This has included creating 25 extra rooms and a conference suite.

Mr Power added: "People who didn't want to use the Aerodrome because of its poor reputation started flooding back.

"I'm talking about companies like Allders and Nestlé - we really have been getting positive feedback.

"We've spent a great deal of money on the hotel and it's paid off.

"I actually think it's the most important hotel in the whole of Croydon."