The Merchant Navy Hotel Closes - the End of an Era

Captain David Parsons, General Secretary, Merchant Navy Welfare Board

At noon on 20th December 2002 the Red Ensign was lowered on the Merchant Navy Hotel for the last time, marking the end of an era that goes back over 60 years. Whilst the event heralded a new era for the Merchant Navy Welfare Board it was also tinged with sadness for many of the former guests and staff.

Since its inception in 1948 the Board had been responsible for running and maintaining hotels within the United Kingdom. In fact the history of seafarers' hotels goes back to the 1930's and 40's when its predecessor, the Seamen's Welfare Board, was funded, by the Government, to set up hotels in many of the major ports including Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Middlesbrough, South Shields, Southampton and Swansea. In addition it ran clubs in Avonmouth, the Isle of Grain and Milford Haven.

During World War II seafarers, including foreign nationals, many from the occupied countries, used the hotels. Both then and in more peaceful times they were utilised by seafarers in transit to and from their ships, standing by vessels in refit or studying for examinations in the numerous colleges. For some, they became home between voyages and for others a place where their wives and families could stay whilst their ship was in port. Each hotel provided a full meal service, licensed bar, recreation and the occasional dance. An early tariff announces single rooms including breakfast at 11/- (£0.55), whilst a double amounted to 10/6 (£0.525) per head (great care was taken to ensure that all couples were married!). All were known as a safe haven at a reasonable cost.

Whilst some of the hotels were disposed of at the end of hostilities most were refurbished or replaced by better quality accommodation. With a prosperous shipping industry they continued to be well used throughout the 1950's and 60's. In those heady days few could have foreseen the decline of British shipping or the huge changes in the international industry effecting turn round time in port, crew nationalities and so on. Sadly these changes, when they did occur, happened over a very short period rapidly sealing the fate, one by one, of all the hotels barring the one in the central London. The Board was at least able to capitalise by investing the proceeds from the sales towards achieving its other objectives, which are outlined later.

The last surviving hotel was that in Lancaster Gate in central London. The Seamen's Welfare Board had maintained another London hotel in Bayley Street off Tottenham Court Road during the war years. In September 1948 the Board purchased the former Parkway Hotel at 19-21 Lancaster Gate, London W2 for a sum of £36,500. This building was extensively refurbished before the Bayley Street premises were closed. The choice of a west London site is somewhat curious as London's docklands lay east of Tower Bridge making access difficult, a journey incorporating the Underground and usually buses, which would have taken at least an hour. Even the Sir John Cass College, near Liverpool Street, was several stations away! Nevertheless, until the end, it provided accommodation in one of London's finest areas, close to the shops and glitz of the West End, easily accessible to Heathrow and near to the tranquillity of Hyde Park.

In fact the London Hotel outlasted the others simply because it was in such a good strategic location in a city which has been, and in many ways, remains the international centre of the maritime industry. This meant that it was popular with business guests as well as those enjoying some leisure time. Even so, in the early 1990's, a three-year deficit gave rise to considerable concerns and discussions as to whether it had a future. The Board considered that it was worth an effort to try and improve the occupancy and consequently income. As a result it set about a major programme of refurbishment, which included complete redecoration of the all public areas and bedrooms. The rooms were furnished sympathetically whilst ephemera was obtained or borrowed to add a nautical ambience to the décor. This proved popular among the guests and 1999 saw the best year, in living memory, in terms of occupancy. Other major changes were put in place with the introduction of a contractor in 1996 to manage the day to day running of the services.

The euphoria of 1999 was dampened by a number of unforeseeable events. Increasingly the maritime industry has started to move out of London. Many of the international organisations now utilise video conferencing to reduce the costs of overseas travel. The UK's tourist industry internally and overseas was hit by the foot and mouth crisis and press reports about the state and safety of public transport and the roads. Finally, of course, world events have deterred travellers to London and other major cities. In curious contrast the UK property market, especially London, has spiralled beyond anyone's expectations.

It was perhaps, therefore, a happy coincidence that at a time when the future of the Hotel was giving rise once again to concerns, the Board received an offer from a property development company with a proposal to convert it to prestige apartments. The offer was dependent upon the developer receiving planning permission for change of use and was in excess of one and a half times its market value as a hotel. After considerable discussion and negotiation the Board accepted a conditional offer, allowing the purchaser up to nine months to receive planning consent.

The offer was finally concluded in late October and allowed the Board a period of three months to close the Hotel and dispose of the contents. After the closure on 20th December the remaining furnishings and other items were returned, disposed of by sale, or donated to other charities. The Board's own offices closed in London on Friday 24th January and reopened in central Southampton on Monday 27th.

The money raised from the sale will be added to the Board's investments allowing it to become much more effective in the provision of seafarers 'welfare. The key role remains to "promote the provision of the highest quality welfare services to merchant seafarers and their dependents in the United Kingdom". To carry out this work effectively it has the following objectives. To: -

• promote the highest quality of welfare services for merchant seafarers.
• ensure that all real welfare needs are met.
• ensure the most effective deployment of resources.
• facilitate the work of Constituent Members by providing support services.
• encourage co-operation between Constituent Members.
• provide grants to support the work of Constituent Members.
• maintain Port Welfare Committees to co-ordinate and promote welfare activities locally.
• lobby Government and other authorities to maximise support for seafarers welfare

On a personal note I would like to say that my nine-year involvement with the Merchant Navy Hotel has been an enormous privilege. Above all it has enabled me to work with some wonderful people and enjoy the company of a great number of guests from all around the World. I shall continue to represent the Board, in what I know will be challenging and interesting times, as it enhances its role within the key issues of seafarer's welfare in the UK. On behalf of the Board, its staff and that of the Hotel, I would like to thank all those who have used it for their continued support and their kind comments. Most notably I would like to thank all the staff (the Board's and the Hotel's) and particularly the general manager, Peter Briggs, for their unstinting efforts most especially once the prospect of closure was known.

The Board has endeavoured to contact, by letter, all those who have used the Hotel in recent years to advise them of the closure and alternative accommodation, where they will be welcome, at comparative tariffs and standards in central London. These are: -

The Union Jack Club
Sandell Street
London SE1 8UJ

Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7928 6401 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7620 0565

E-mail: abo@ujclub.co.uk Website: www.ujclub.co.uk

Recently refurbished to a high standard, this is a large club located adjacent to Waterloo Station, with an excellent standard of public rooms, restaurant and a variety of good quality hotel accommodation at very reasonable cost. Although its full members are taken from the Armed Services it is open to all those who have Honorary Membership of the MN Hotel or are serving or retired merchant seafarers. Early booking is recommended, as this is a popular venue. It has a wide range of facilities catering for functions of different sizes.

The Naval Club
38 Hill Street
Mayfair
London W1J 5NS

Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7493 7672 Fax + 44 (0) 20 7629 7995

E-mail: membership@navalclub.co.uk Website: www.navalclub.co.uk

This is a private members club, for which there is an annual subscription and a one off joining fee. Serving and retired Merchant Navy personnel are eligible for membership. The public areas and bedrooms are of a good standard with excellent dining facilities. The Club is available for functions.

Averard Hotel
10 Lancaster Gate
Hyde Park
London W2 3LH

Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7723 8877 Fax: + 44 (0) 20 706 0860

E-mail: sales@averard.com Website: www.averard.com

The Averard Hotel is family run establishment close to the Merchant Navy Hotel. The public areas and bedrooms are of a good standard with dining and bar facilities.

Posted: 2003-08-10

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