The Roebuck Hotel

[Maureen]

It looks like it's official. The Roebuck Hotel is now part of the St James's Hotel group:

http://www.theroebuckhotel.co.uk/

I think this is excellent news. The hotel is definitely staying.

[John_D]

It looks like it's official. The Roebuck Hotel is now part of the St James's Hotel group:

http://www.theroebuckhotel.co.uk/

I think this is excellent news. The hotel is definitely staying.

Shame that they got the address wrong on their website

[Maureen]

It's just a typo. I didn't even notice it to be honest. I'm just pleased the hotel is staying.

[mikeykw]

Forestdale Hotels went into administration on 7th March 2014. St James Hotels completed the acquisition of the Forestdale Group and it hit the press around 12th March 2014.

There are various reports on the administration and subsequent acquisition of the Hotel group - just google it.

The Roebuck was owned by the Queens Moathouse group under the County Hotels Banner. QMH were very keen to off load the County group and back in 1995 the hotel was already spiralling downwards under the County Banner. I believe that QMH also went into administration in the 90's

Forestdale bought the Roebuck post 1996 (Cant remember exactly when but probably around 2004) and did spend some money on the hotel, but then the owner of Forestdale retired and parts of the Forestdale group were sold to the Akkeron Hotel Group in 2010 (owned by the chairman of Plymouth Argyle Football Club - James Brent)

Its a shame that when the Forestdale Group was sold to the Chairman of Plymouth Argyle FC (James Brent) that things really did go down hill which is why they tried to turn it into a new development. Several of James Brents businesses suffered through the recent hardships

(These facts are to the best of my knowledge as I have followed Forestdale Hotels since the mid 80's and in the early 90's I was a consultant for them in the South West)

[Saffron]

Looks like it's closed according to the mercury website. Not economically viable apparently.

[Maureen]

Looks like it's closed according to the mercury website. Not economically viable apparently.

I just checked the Mercury website. You're right:

Roebuck Hotel in Ware closes doors for good
http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/N ... 181439.htm

How depressing.

[Steve]

Looks like it's closed according to the mercury website. Not economically viable apparently.

I just checked the Mercury website. You're right:

Roebuck Hotel in Ware closes doors for good
http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/N ... 181439.htm

How depressing.

"historic hotel"?

[shinybeans]

It has been a hotel since the 1920s and the original building is older http://www.ourhertfordandware.org.uk/pa ... _0p2p.aspx

[Northsider]

It has been a hotel since the 1920s and the original building is older http://www.ourhertfordandware.org.uk/pa ... _0p2p.aspx

That closing down was a bit swift!
Wonder what the planners will make of any new application? Hope the houses scheme on the original is thrown out, but I guess any plans will be for housing and not a hotel. Would be good if the old house in the early picture here could be restored, I guess it must be under all the extensions somewhere, even if turned into flats, I mean apartments (adds value!)

[Barzey]

It just doesn't ring right at all. The new owners would have been aware of the pending Premier Inns intentions. Surely their research before buying the Roebuck wasn't as shallow as they are making out?