A BIZARRE hotel is expected to lose its Doctor Who, Cruella de Vil and French boudoirstyled bedrooms as its new owners try to create a more mainstream venue.
Businessman John Marshall previously spent £2m converting a former student accommodation block in Durham’s historic Old Elvet into The Fallen Angel hotel.
Complete with themed rooms, including a science fiction suite with a Dalek, a Cyberman and a Tardis, it was hailed as the most luxurious in the land.
But, with rooms at up to £300 a night, Mr Marshall and partner Sandra MacDonald were always targeting a niche market and they have now sold up.
New owners and restaurateurs Nigel and Deborah Gadd plan to spend £300,000 creating three extra bedrooms, a cocktail lounge bar and new restaurant.
But the quirky suites will go – to be replaced by a single Georgian theme across the hotel. The Fallen Angel title will also disappear – probably to be replaced by Gadz Restaurant and Rooms.
Mrs Gadd, 45, said: “We want to take it back in time to how it should be – a boutique Georgian townhouse.”
Mr Gadd, 49, said: “We want to appeal to quality customers with a quality hotel, in keeping with the historic city.”
The couple previously transformed the Seven Stars Inn and Pump House Restaurant, both in Shincliffe, turning them into top-of-the-range venues. They also run Thai restaurant Zen.
Mr Marshall, the man behind Durham Pine, opened the Fallen Angel in 2008.
Its cinema room had a huge screen, two movie theatre seats and a popcorn machine.
The Cruella room had a huge black, sleigh-shaped bed and a sauna in the bathroom. There were Army uniforms in the library room and a Wurlitzer jukebox in the New York apartment.
The Gadds have submitted their plans to Durham County Council and a decision is expected next month. Work could take about three months. The hotel would remain open throughout. Gadz Grill is open now.
Michael Huston, from M Design, said: “We will be sympathetic to the original building, bringing it back to its former glory.”
For more information on the plans, visit durham.gov.uk
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