Grosvenor added: “Our priority now is to ensure the long-term future of the hotel given its importance to Chester.
“As an organisation steeped in the history of city and that is deeply committed to its long-term success, we are developing plans for a major refurbishment supported by significant investment and the appointment of a new operator.
“The refurbishment will protect the future of Cheshire’s only five-star large hotel, strengthening Chester’s tourism and hospitality economy.”
Bespoke Hotels is understood to have informed staff that RAAC concrete (reinforced autoclave aerated concrete) had been discovered. The substance, which has been widely used since the 1950s, in hospitals, schools, blocks of flats and many other public and private buildings.
But last year the government launched an inquiry over concerns the limited-lifespan substance posed significant structural risks to buildings that contained it.
Bespoke Hotels – which has been running the Grosvenor for over 10 years – is reported to have said it intended to close the hotel by the end of September.
