Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2006-12-04 07:37:20 - Graham Ellis
The George Hotel, Melksham, stood on the corner or Lowborne and Bath Road - prime real estate in the town centre; alas, it was demolished around 60 years ago to make way for a modern (then) parade of shops which now are showing their age and considered to something of an eyesore in many of our Vistas. Wouldn't it have been wonderful to have retained something like "The George" or "The Ship" in Mere or "The Antrobus Arms" in Amesbury.
But times move on, and tastes and requirements change. I can tell you of other hotels that Melksham has lost - places like the Regency Hotel - in very recent years. Certainly from our perspective, the Regency wasn't able to offer the services our customers wished to find, and I understand it found a new use away from the hotel trade. These days, good parking, internet access, all rooms en-suite, updated fire precautions and payment by credit card are "de rigour" - vital - at least for the sort of business folks who come on our courses. And they want online access to the hotel.
I look at our own Well House Manor and I go yes, yes, yes. Yes, yes, yes. And - by design - not quite yet! We've been open for 6 weeks and we're 'running in'; the online booking system is to come over Christmas. However, over the weekend Lisa has been working on the web site for "The Manor" and - well - I'll leave you to judge the results but let's just say I'm proud.
