Fight against hotel closure gathers pace

Some of the blind hotel guests angry at the proposed closure of Russell Hotel.

Picture by Louise Adams C130909-1 Bog Jul11 Closure — Some of the blind hotel guests angry at the proposed closure of Russell Hotel. Picture by Louise Adams C130909-1 Bog Jul11 Closure

The protests calls for the Russell Hotel to remain open for visitors and residents to use.

The hotel is set to be sold by its owner, Action for Blind People, in October to become a care home for Livability.

The proposed deal has upset blind and partially-sighted visitors to the hotel, as well as people around Bognor Regis who use its swimming pool.

Blind John Baines, 69, from Sidcup, was staying at the hotel with his wife, Janet Baines, 68, last week.

He said: “Everybody thinks it is disgusting.

“They are worried about the future and wondering which hotel will be next.”

Mr and Mrs Baines have visited the hotel two or three times a year for the past five years.

Mr Baines said: “The hotel is clean, the food is good and the staff are friendly. We find the town and its people are nice as well.”

Fellow guest Les Sheath, 74, from Southampton, said: “There are a lot of people who are upset the hotel is closing.

“I’ve been surprised by the amount of local people who have spoken to me about it. They all say that what is happening is a shame.

“This is the only hotel in the country that was designed by blind and visually-impaired people.

“Other hotels are usually adapted from old houses and are a nightmare to get around. This hotel is open. There is nothing to bump into,” said Mr Sheath, who has limited vision.

“The hotel also has to be an asset to Bognor. It brings money into the town.

“People are so used to seeing the guide dogs around that it’s part of Bognor and a lot of local people use its swimming pool.”

As reported, Livability will use the hotel building to replace its Ashley House care home in Aldwick Road.

Action for Blind People has said the 40-room hotel, with 30 staff, had some 600 blind and partially-sighted guests last year.

An Action spokeswoman said: “After much consideration and, especially as the Russell Hotel has been attracting fewer blind and partially-sighted guests than the charity’s three other hotels, Action has decided to accept the offer from Livability.

“Money raised from the sale of the hotel will be used to continue providing the best possible support to blind and partially sighted people.”