Let the people decide

According to an article in the Bridport News today, plans are in place to ask every resident in Lyme Regis to sign a petition if they support the aims of the Save The Three Cups AS A HOTEL Action Group.

At the public meeting on 5th June, the 235 people present voted unanimously in favour of preserving The Three Cups Hotel AS A HOTEL. It will be interesting to see how representative that group was.

By the way, in case you missed it, there was a story in the Bridport News on 16th July about discussion of the hotel's future at West Dorset District Council.

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And another writer ...

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow stayed at The Three Cups hotel in 1869.

Many thanks to John Dover of the Lyme Regis Museum who has informed me that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the American Poet, Educator and Linguist stayed with his family at The Cups Hotel in August 1869. It was believed "they were much charmed and delighted by the scenery". Source: Weymouth Telegram dated 6th August 1869 held in Lyme Regis Museum.

Phew! The front of The Three Cups is going to be dazzling when all the blue plaques have been installed for the many famous people who have stayed at this historic HOTEL. Tourists from all over the world are going to be desperate to stay at this HOTEL. What a pity this HOTEL is not open for business. It must be doing a great deal of damage to the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area in its delapidated state. Something really ought to be done about it because Lyme Regis needs HOTELS.

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Come on, Lyme Regis

Just seen this on the Daily Telegraph website: "Great British literary walks". Click on the link to read the article.

Isn't this what it's all about for The Three Cups? The Telegraph article describes 10 tourist locations, each with links to one notable literary figure, indicating that this is sufficient reason to visit. Lyme Regis has associations with at least 4 famous literary names plus other famous people. Lyme Regis is not mentioned by The Telegraph but surely, it should be top of the list.

Isn't tourism important to the local economy? I think we all know the answer. If The Three Cups Hotel were to be re-opened AS A HOTEL, then it would be the flagship attraction for Lyme Regis in the world cultural tourism market.

Forget flats and a retained facade for re-opening The Three Cups. No matter how such a scheme is re-packaged as luxury flats for weekenders or affordable homes or some mix, it will not be the best use of this national treasure and cultural asset. What is needed is The Three Cups as major tourist attraction and provider of hotel rooms. Anything else would be the road to economic stagnation and a cultural backwater. Come on, Lyme Regis councillors. Vote for a future for your residents and your young people.

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Smoke and Mirrors

A new report on the campaign to see The Three Cups Hotel re-opened has appeared in the View From newspaper. Click this link to read it.

Reading this article, I can't help wondering what's going on. Why is the mayor of Lyme Regis talking about a hotel business not being viable after all that was revealed at the public meeting on 5th June about lack of hotel space in her town?

And why are the town councillors going to meet the owners of the hotel behind closed doors?

If anyone has any suggestions, please post them as comments below.

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