With all the gloomy news in the papers and on the television, I opened the North Devon Journal to find rays of light shining out from the pages this morning.
Apparently, the Capstone Hotel has been bought and is to be refurbished as a boutique hotel, while Whitbread is apparently looking at a site for a new hotel or an existing hotel to redevelop. Following on from Damien Hirst’s bed and breakfast venture and Wetherspoon’s go-ahead to redevelop the Collingwood Hotel, this is very good news for the town, which needs investment in its dwindling hotel stock.
While the setting is beautiful, the town has great charm and the community is wonderful, there is no denying that Ilfracombe needs hefty investment to re-invigorate it. This news could not come at a better time. We have some fantastic businesses here, including some very good hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and shops – and many of the owners work tirelessly at what they do – but this should good everyone a boost.
And just before Christmas too!