UPDATED: New owner of 42 The Calls plans to boost riverside economy with '˜Premier League' destination

THE new owner of a boutique hotel plans to turn it into a 'Premier League' destination that will help to boost the riverside economy in Leeds.
17 April  2018......   Belinda Dawson, general manager of 42 The Calls  Picture Tony Johnson.17 April  2018......   Belinda Dawson, general manager of 42 The Calls  Picture Tony Johnson.
17 April 2018...... Belinda Dawson, general manager of 42 The Calls Picture Tony Johnson.

Entrepreneur Simon Pollard, who has bought 42 The Calls out of administration, intends to transform it into a five star hotel.

Mr Pollard, who also owns a nursery and prosthetic limb company, told The Yorkshire Post: “I want people to enjoy the hotel and the surrounding area. There is a massive appetite for people to live and dine down there.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Pollard said he was planning a multi-million pound investment in the hotel to “re-ignite the brand”. The revamped hotel will offer contemporary suites, a champagne bar and riverside dining.

Simon Pollard, the owner of 42 The CallsSimon Pollard, the owner of 42 The Calls
Simon Pollard, the owner of 42 The Calls

Mr Pollard added: “I am extremely excited about the future and huge potential of this hotel and look forward to creating something special in support of our long-standing customers. I have the vision, foresight and renewed ambition to invest in what will be a very exciting venture.

“I plan to transform and redevelop 42 The Calls into breath-taking accommodation that will take the hotel back to its roots of being in the Premier League.

“I believe my track record, drive and continuous enthusiasm will put it firmly back on the map as the best luxury hotel in Leeds.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Pollard said that, in the longer term, he might consider operating a chain of boutique hotels.

Simon Pollard, the owner of 42 The CallsSimon Pollard, the owner of 42 The Calls
Simon Pollard, the owner of 42 The Calls

Gareth Harris and Keith Marshall of RSM Restructuring Advisory were appointed joint administrators of the hotel company 42 The Calls Limited in February, which trades as 42 The Calls.

The administrators continued to trade the hotel until it was bought out of administration by Mr Pollard.

The boutique hotel was converted from an 18th century flour mill in the early 1990s and has 18 permanent staff and 41 rooms. All staff have transferred to the purchaser. Mr Pollard acknowledged that staff at 42 The Calls had been through a difficult time, but they would be rewarded for their loyalty with opportunities to progress.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

National law firm Shoosmiths advised Mr Pollard on the multi-million pound acquisition.

The Shoosmiths team was led by corporate partner Philip Goldsborough, together with corporate colleagues Simon Procter and Sophie Davies and real estate partner Richard Bellamy.

Mr Goldsborough said: “We are delighted to have worked with Simon and his team on this transaction. Simon has an exciting vision for 42 The Calls and we wish him every success with the redevelopment and in delivering a top class luxury destination to Leeds.”

SIMON Pollard, the new owner of 42 The Calls, believes he has the abiliity and ambition to rescue a local brand which is in “desperate need” of investment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said he plans to start a multi-million pound investment that will blend high-end contemporary suites into the footprint of an 18th century cornmill.

Mr Pollard has built up a portfolio of business interests and now employs 140 people.

Two years ago he acquired a nursery business, the 22 Street Lane Nursery in Leeds, which is now thriving.

He has also established a prosthetic limb company which he aims to turn into a global business.

Related topics: