As I mounted Clwyd Street at about 9 p.m. last night, I marvelled at all the lights glowing in the Castle Hotel, on every storey. The shutters have gone. The brightness gave a little cheer to the gloom that is early autumn. It foretold of what we might expect on the Square when the renovation of the fully occupied building is complete.
But, in spite of the optimism of the face lift, the builders moving in, the containers at the back and prominent health & safety notice flapping from the front porch, we're beginning to see reservations.
I was no regular visitor to the Castle Hotel but I would lament the pulling down of anything, ceiling included, that gave character to this prominent building. There are reports that the entrance ceiling has gone. Perhaps Wetherspoon's will re-install a facsimile. Or perhaps we had better stand by and expect more major changes. The ground floor was somewhat labyrinthine and the twists & turns within are unlikely to appeal to the open plan nature of a JDW pub. I'm not sure what was architecturally meritorious within. I do know that previous owners made modifications to the layout and bar area. No building of this age & nature has ever stayed the same in its history and this appears to be the case now. Brace yourselves.
But, in spite of the optimism of the face lift, the builders moving in, the containers at the back and prominent health & safety notice flapping from the front porch, we're beginning to see reservations.
I was no regular visitor to the Castle Hotel but I would lament the pulling down of anything, ceiling included, that gave character to this prominent building. There are reports that the entrance ceiling has gone. Perhaps Wetherspoon's will re-install a facsimile. Or perhaps we had better stand by and expect more major changes. The ground floor was somewhat labyrinthine and the twists & turns within are unlikely to appeal to the open plan nature of a JDW pub. I'm not sure what was architecturally meritorious within. I do know that previous owners made modifications to the layout and bar area. No building of this age & nature has ever stayed the same in its history and this appears to be the case now. Brace yourselves.
Tags:
Wetherspoon