New boutique hotel has been swamped with calls after shock Fir Grove closure

Staff at the three-star Best Western hotel on Knutsford Old Road were told on Wednesday last week that The Fir Grove Hotel, which has been a popular place for weddings, parties, proms and corporate events for decades, would be closing to the public from Thursday and many of them would be losing their jobs.

The closure comes amid plans to use the hotel as a site for asylum seekers with Conservative MP Andy Carter and Warrington Borough Council expressing disappointment over the move.

With new bookings no longer being taken online, customers with existing dates in the diary began the anxious task of trying to find an alternative venue to cater for their upcoming event.

The Fir Grove in Grappenhall closed on Thursday

Many of these worried customers rang Parr’s Bank on Winwick Street, which has been lovingly restored over the past two years by husband and wife team Yaad and Pavan Johal.

Following news of the closure of The Fir Grove Hotel on Thursday, the couple have received enquiries from people who no longer have a venue for their upcoming wedding, Christmas party or corporate event.

On Thursday, co-owner and creative director Pavan took two bookings for weddings in February and July next year that had originally been booked to take place at The Fir Grove.

The high ceilings in the Victorian building

She said: “The two bookings were made over the phone – they were so worried about not having anywhere to host their wedding that they made the booking without visiting us.

“As a licensed marriage venue, couples can get married and host their reception with us.

“They will have full use of the Bank Manager suite, Counter’s Cocktail Bar and luxury pamper area.

“We’ve also had enquiries about corporate bookings and gala events following the news of The Fir Grove closure.

“It’s such a worrying time for people, many of which will have postponed or rebooked their wedding day due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The Bank Manager's Suite that can seat up to 30 guests for private dining

Parr’s Bank, which is in a Victorian Building dating back to 1877, is almost fully booked for dates in November and December but they do have plenty of availability for next year and 2024.

Their boutique hotel comprising of 15 rooms is due to open in summer 2023.

The Warrington Guardian broke the news of The Fir Grove closure on Thursday with The Home Office having spoken to Warrington Borough Council about the move to turn the hotel into a centre for asylum seekers earlier in the week.

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The Fir Grove Hotel in Grappenhall closes to the public

Steven Broomhead, chief executive, said: “We are asking the Home Office to think again.

“We have other centres in the town and do not have the capacity for anymore.

“This is not the right location for such a facility.”

The Paddington House on Manchester Road and Daresbury Park Hotel are currently being used as similar accommodation.

The grand entrance to Parr's Bank, which was built in the 19th Century

Andy Carter MP has written to home secretary Suella Braverman to object to the plan.

He said: “I am very disappointed that Home Office Officials have failed to listen to feedback from myself and the Borough Council, the Fir Grove Hotel is not a suitable location and I’ve written to the home secretary to ask that she reviews this decision immediately.

“Warrington has welcomed families from Ukraine and Hong Kong in recent months which has put pressure on some of our local services, however, I am really concerned that this is not an appropriate site for asylum seekers.”

Photos by Yasmin Thomas