Exactly four months earlier, a couple of members of the Coventry Society Committee were invited to see the renovation work at The Chace Hotel in Willenhall. We received a further invitation to examine progress since then, and a small party from the Committee were welcomed by the owners Nick and Tim, whom we had met before.
Work had moved at pace on both the landscaping, but especially the exterior and interior. Much of the landscaping had been programmed for the winter period in preparation for next spring. An attractive green environment was a high priority, given the importance of the hotel also functioning as a wedding venue.
Externally, much had been achieved since May, with almost all scaffolding having been removed. The façade looked well finished without losing its sense of age, and some features lost over the years had been carefully replaced. Comparing the Edwardian photographs with the frontage today would show virtually no changes. The flat roof extensions of the second half of the twentieth century still jar the eye. Still, planning permission has been applied for to tone down the appearance with new facades that would make it in keeping with the main building, whilst retaining a viable number of guest rooms.
The entrance area saw little change, with the wooden fittings previously hidden behind partitioning now on display. This area has the greatest potential in the whole building for showing the nature of the original grand design. Where real progress had been made was in the guest bedrooms on the first floor of the main house and the 1930s extension. The trouble taken with the decoration of most rooms with period wallpaper and matching combination painting of various surfaces made the head whirl, with each room having its own unique scheme. At this stage, no room was furnished. Yet, the bathrooms offered an insight into the high standards: luxurious period tiling and fittings in typical Edwardian colours, unlike the hospital feel of modern hotels. Sinks were on antique stands sourced from all over Europe.
Owners Tim and Nick were as friendly and helpful as on our previous visit, giving up a couple of hours of their time and answering questions informatively and with good humour. They clearly can see the value of heritage buildings to a successful business and individual well-being. It is appropriate, therefore, that they will be giving a brief presentation as part of our Heritage Conference on Saturday 17 October – the theme of which is “Our Heritage – Our Health and Wellbeing”.
