Uproar as new owners plant controversial tree in Midland hotel

Monday, 15 May 2023 07:08

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

The new tree in the hotel lounge area. Image from The Midland Facebook page.

A decision by the new owners of the Midland to plant a tree in the hotel has caused uproar.

The tree feature has been installed in a planter in the hotel lounge area but it has not been to everybody's taste.

Owners The Inn Collection Group, who bought the Midland in December, said they felt the tree would "draw even more attention to the beautiful feature details around it".

After the Midland posted a photo of the tree on Friday, the famous hotel in Morecambe was busy with curious crowds of people popping in to take a look, and social media was awash with comments.

The vast majority who posted on The Midland Facebook page felt the tree was not in keeping with the style and image of the 1930s Art Deco hotel, with some calling it "ghastly" and "awful".

Tom Edwards said: "Sorry, but that's far too intrusive. One of the main appeals of the hotel is the sight lines - such that the Art Deco design can be seen as intended. Not blocked by a tree."

Amy Crofts said: "I really don’t like it. Actually feel a bit emotional that they would ruin the beautiful lobby area with this."

Julie Stanley said: "I have to agree with the majority here - too chunky and not a pleasing shape. Palms would be much more in keeping."

Harry Armistead said: "That looks totally wrong. Too big, too dominant, too in the way. Definite no."

Diane Robinson said: "It looks appalling, out of place and most certainly not in any way resembling Art Deco design."

Helen Harvey said: "Oh my gosh. Cheap and nasty."

David Rhys Woods said: "Huge and unnecessary. The lobby area is stunning as it is. It shouldn’t be crowded like this. Art Deco is about simplicity and space free of clutter."

Ian Robinson said: "It would be interesting to hear from the Inn Collection management in view of the overwhelming objections to the awful plastic tree. Their current plans for the hotel will turn many loyal guests away who have appreciated the ambience of the Art Deco hotel. Whilst this hotel needs some refurbishment it will lose its appeal if the traditional ambience is not maintained. It will go 'down market'."

Others liked the new feature.

Sharman Robinson said: "Looks great! Sea views visible. A bit of greenery."

Drew Stewart said: "Looks good."

Stephen Best said: "Seen it in real life and I think it looks fine."

Newcastle-based The Inn Collection Group bought the iconic seafront hotel for an undisclosed sum in December 2022.

The hotel was previously owned by the Clitheroe-based charity, the Lancaster Foundation and operated by English Lakes Hotels.

The Inn Collection Group now both own and run the hotel.

A spokesperson for The Inn Collection Group said: "Under the previous owners there were an array of planters in the lobby and it was felt that not having anything within the reception area left a large area of empty space.

"The new addition, we feel creates a heart in the centre of the beautiful lobby and serves to draw even more attention to the beautiful feature details around it."

The Midland reopened in 2008 after years of closure, following a major restoration by designers Urban Splash.

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