Lincoln hotelier makes seven-figure bid for The Lawn complex
Prominent Lincoln hotelier Jonathan Pass has made a seven-figure bid for The Lawn complex.
He wants to turn it into a hotel and major conference centre, with the creation of 30 jobs, and help secure the future of the Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory.
Mr Pass, who owns Charlotte House Hotel which stands within the complex, also plans to include a restaurant, bistro and public bar.
Mr Pass says he will fund the revamp of the conservatory, working with the Sir Joseph Banks Society to manage and run it as an independent visitor attraction. Plans for the new-look hotel and conference centre include adding fountains, restoring many of the building's original features and creating an outdoor plaza.
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"I'm really passionate about Lincoln and believe this city has huge potential," said Mr Pass.
"The Lawn could be the third jewel in the city's crown alongside the castle and the cathedral.
"It is a fantastic building with a rich heritage and we want to turn it into Lincoln's stately home.
“The experience I’ve had transforming Charlotte House Hotel from a derelict building into a thriving business demonstrates an understanding of the site and the potential of The Lawn.
“We hosted over 150 weddings last year, the location proving ideal.
“I am hopeful we will be successful.
“I really want to see the building play its part in the city’s economic growth rather than be turned into flats.”
The plans have already received backing from the Sir Joseph Banks Society trustees.
Honorary secretary of the society, Paul Scott said: “The proposal will, in our view, provide an anchor point for the whole uphill area of Lincoln in terms of tourism and the economy whilst conserving and enhancing a vital part of Lincoln’s heritage.”
Running and maintaining the site, off Union Road, which is owned by the City of Lincoln Council, costs council taxpayers £47,000 a year, prompting the decision to sell.
The bidding ended at noon on yesterday.
Council spokesman Caroline Ashman said the number of applications is commercially sensitive information.
“We have had some interest and now the next step is to look at that and see if there’s anything we need to take up,” she said.
Marie Diamond, 44, who runs the Come to Life gift shop in the grounds and manages the conservatory, said: “Any involvement of the Sir Joseph Banks Society would be most welcome and highly appropriate.
“I think that whoever the new owner is has to have the cash, the strategy and an understanding of the conservatory already in place to improve it and to maintain it to the required standard, without a doubt.
“They have to understand the history and the importance of Banks’ work.”
The Lawn site to be sold totals about 1.62 hectares and includes the main complex, the conservatory and Charlotte House – which is subject to a long-term lease.
Also included are the south lawn and car parking.
The former mental hospital was built in 1819, with Charlotte House added in 1938.
The tropical hothouse, named after Banks, the 18th century Lincolnshire botanist who sailed the world with Captain Cook on The Endeavour, opened in 1989.
The public open spaces surrounding The Lawn – the West Lawn, the recently refurbished play area and much of the public car parking – will remain in council ownership.
Comments
by ThornyRay
Friday, March 09 2012, 6:52PM
“Something smells fishy here, I wonder if they will cut down all the trees, like they already have outside Charlotte House?? How strange it was only the trees blocking the view to the building that were 'sick' This whole things stinks from the Council, he'll be buying the Grandstand next!”
by Pittacus
Friday, March 09 2012, 12:54PM
“I sincerely hope Mr Pass' bid for the Lawn is sucessful.
Here is a man who puts his money where his mouth is and actually does something to improve the facilities that the city has to offer - unlike those (like me) who merely snipe
It strikes me that this may also be an ideal opportunity to re-introduce coach-parking uphill. The Lawn has adequate space and if good quality rest provision is made for coach-drivers, this could be the catalyst we need to drive up footfall in the Bail.”
by TB78WHlNE
Friday, March 09 2012, 11:23AM
“"But whap I cannot understand is that if Mr Pass can run the Lawns and get a profit out of it, why cant the council not even run it on a break even basis..."
Because that's the difference between the excellent private sector and the hopeless public sector, especially Labour-run public sector.”
by Lincolneer
Friday, March 09 2012, 9:53AM
“Another step for Mr Pass to take over the area. Maybe we should start calling it Passgate instead of Bailgate. But whap I cannot understand is that if Mr Pass can run the Lawns and get a profit out of it, why cant the council not even run it on a break even basis...”
by Lincoln_Biker
Thursday, March 08 2012, 1:03PM
“It's good to see someone investing in our beloved city! I wish Mr.Pass every success :-)”
by Prof_Fraggle
Thursday, March 08 2012, 12:44PM
“@stanton70 - Have to say I do not agree with your view. We held our wedding there almost 2 years ago and they were nothing short of fantastic. Not sure if the 'MC' Chris still works there, but he was worth his weight in gold - couldn't do enough to help us; even with the most demanding of in-laws!”
by thompma30
Thursday, March 08 2012, 11:47AM
“surprise! well that took some time to come out of the woodwork, but in the sale document, doesn't it say that the rest of the site cannot be a hotel to compete with Charlotte house?”