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Manager 'may buy' sit-in hotel Manager 'may buy' sit-in hotel
(about 3 hours later)
The manager of a closed Worcestershire hotel where staff have sealed themselves in until they are paid has claimed he may buy it.The manager of a closed Worcestershire hotel where staff have sealed themselves in until they are paid has claimed he may buy it.
Staff at the Foley Arms Hotel in Malvern, which stopped trading on Monday, said the first they knew was an e-mail that day telling them to leave.Staff at the Foley Arms Hotel in Malvern, which stopped trading on Monday, said the first they knew was an e-mail that day telling them to leave.
Manager Nigel Thomas, 54, led a protest by locking the doors to bar the owner's agents from entering.Manager Nigel Thomas, 54, led a protest by locking the doors to bar the owner's agents from entering.
Job Centre Plus staff visited the protesters in the hotel earlier.Job Centre Plus staff visited the protesters in the hotel earlier.
The hotel's closure put 21 members of staff out of a job, and Malvern Job Centre Plus representatives visited to advise workers on benefits.The hotel's closure put 21 members of staff out of a job, and Malvern Job Centre Plus representatives visited to advise workers on benefits.
Malvern has been a spa town since the 16th CenturyIt rapidly expanded in the Victorian eraThe Foley Arms Hotel was built in 1810 FACTS ABOUT THE HOTEL Malvern has been a spa town since the 16th CenturyThe hotel was originally built in 1810 as a coaching innIt grew in popularity as news about the "healing" effects of Malvern's water spreadThe crest on the outside of the hotel belonged to Princess Mary of Teck, who stayed at the hotel for six weeksThe Foley family were lords of the manor in Malvern and parts of HerefordshireA signed portrait of Lady Emily Foley hangs in the lobby of the hotel
Mr Thomas who, with a partner, sold the 28-room hotel to investors in August 2007, now says he may buy it back.Mr Thomas who, with a partner, sold the 28-room hotel to investors in August 2007, now says he may buy it back.
He is in talks with hotel owners Paul Kempin and his son Luke, who bought the hotel for £2m and let it to a firm which ceased trading on Monday.He is in talks with hotel owners Paul Kempin and his son Luke, who bought the hotel for £2m and let it to a firm which ceased trading on Monday.
Speaking from Switzerland, Paul Kempin said they are also out of pocket and told the BBC they are owed £60,000 in rent. Speaking from Switzerland, Paul Kempin said they were also out of pocket and told the BBC they were owed £60,000 in rent.
He added they were not planning to evict those members of staff who live in cottages on the site.He added they were not planning to evict those members of staff who live in cottages on the site.
Former trainee manager Andy Wheeler, 29, is now "campaign manager" inside the hotel.Former trainee manager Andy Wheeler, 29, is now "campaign manager" inside the hotel.
He said of Mr Thomas' buy-back plan: "He has offered that to the owners as a possibility to keep it open.He said of Mr Thomas' buy-back plan: "He has offered that to the owners as a possibility to keep it open.
"We would like to open it as a hotel and work for Mr Thomas. We're all one big family, and we're getting through it together.""We would like to open it as a hotel and work for Mr Thomas. We're all one big family, and we're getting through it together."
Mr Thomas said there were about 15 staff taking part in the sit-in
Staff have had to turn away guests and cancel events, including a funeral.Staff have had to turn away guests and cancel events, including a funeral.
Mr Thomas told the BBC on Tuesday: "I received an e-mail asking us to vacate the building and hand over the keys.Mr Thomas told the BBC on Tuesday: "I received an e-mail asking us to vacate the building and hand over the keys.
"I told him [the owner] until we have been paid I'm going to stay.""I told him [the owner] until we have been paid I'm going to stay."
'We have supplies'
He added: "At the moment there are creditors who haven't been paid, so how are they going to pay the staff?He added: "At the moment there are creditors who haven't been paid, so how are they going to pay the staff?
"There are perhaps 12 to 15 staff here at any one time."There are perhaps 12 to 15 staff here at any one time.
"We're here until they come back to us. We have our own supplies. We're here until we get some proper communication.""We're here until they come back to us. We have our own supplies. We're here until we get some proper communication."
The 19th Century Georgian Coaching Hotel was built when Malvern was becoming a spa town.The 19th Century Georgian Coaching Hotel was built when Malvern was becoming a spa town.
Mr Thomas said the hotel was now boarded up and locked.Mr Thomas said the hotel was now boarded up and locked.