In fairness tourism in Rhos on Sea died years ago, but nearly all of the hotels have now gone in this area! Most of the hotels have been destroyed for blocks of flats, which is really sad considering what the area once was! A BED and breakfast in Rhos-on-Sea considered “no longer financially viable” by its owners will be converted into a residential property.
Plas Rhos House, on the Cayley Promenade, will become a home for its owners, who had applied to Conwy County Borough Council for a change of use in May.
Owners Colin and Susan Hazelden, who between them have more than five decades of hotel industry experience, bought the business in July 2002.
Prior to this, they had successfully ran their own hotel in the Peak District.
An adult-only, five-bedroom B&B, the cost of running the business since 2005 has “significantly increased”, and has made the hotel “unsustainable” as a primary source of income.
This resulted in Mr Hazelden taking up secondary employment to support the business, and Mrs Hazelden’s attempts to run the guest house single-handedly leading to “long hours and the physical and mental stress taking its toll”.
The business also spent three years on the market in that time, but failed to attract a buyer despite “several price reductions”.
The owners also cited increased costs, low levels of labour, and the “growing presence of services like Airbnb and large, budget-friendly hotel chains”.
A planning statement in support of the B&B’s change of use stated: “This application seeks to change the use of the property to form a single dwelling due to the decline in bookings, financial viability and the age, health and well-being of the owners.
“Plas Rhos House has been the Hazelden family home for 23 years they wish to continue living in their home without the pressures of running a business.
“The owners believe these proposals are justified, as operating the property as a traditional Bed and Breakfast is no longer financially viable. “Since the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of online platforms such as Airbb, Sykes Cottages, and Booking.com, the holiday rental market has undergone significant change.
“Demand for hotels and guest houses has declined, with many families now preferring self-contained apartments or more private, flexible accommodation that offers cooking and relaxation facilities.
“While the number of Airbb-style rentals in the immediate area has increased and the self-catering holiday market has expanded, the traditional guest house model has seen a marked downturn.
"Even with full occupancy, the revenue generated barely covered minimum wage after outgoings.
“Employing staff was not an option due to costs increasing exponentially and a general lack of suitable labour in the area.”
Plans to change the building's use have now been approved by Conwy County Borough Council's planning committee.
Plas Rhos House was built in 1909 by builder John Thomas Taylor from Rhos-on-Sea, as a dwellinghouse for Dr Arthur Bloxsome and his family on a plot of land adjacent to Cayley Promenade, which was once part of the renowned Cayley Estate.
Initially known as 'Langdale', the house underwent a name change in 1950, becoming 'Kennack' as it transitioned to a small guest house.
Used as a bed and breakfast ever since, the name was again changed to Plas Rhos House in April 1989. From...https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/25300590.b-b-no-longer-financially-viable-converted/
The way we are going, hotels will be a thing of the past!
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