30 James Street hotel to reopen following administration

The general manager of a Liverpool hotel which fell into administration during lockdown has returned from furlough to ready it for a “new lease of life” under its new management.

Vicki Hanlon, the GM at 30 James Street in Liverpool city centre, said she is “working round the clock” with her returning team to prepare the popular destination for its reopening tomorrow (25 July).

Hanlon, who has been in charge at 30 James Street since August 2018, returned to the property at the start of July after Legacy Hotels and Resorts became the new operators in June following the collapse of the previous ownership, Signature Living.

Legacy Hotels confirmed in June that Signature Living will have “no further links” to the management of the hotel.

The property has been closed since March and Hanlon is overseeing all the improvements that need to be made before welcoming guests back, including lift inspections, fire alarm tests and a deep clean.

Hanlon said: “It’s a new chapter to this building’s long history. It’s amazing to be back and it’s a privilege to work in this building. There’s a certain feeling you experience when you walk up the steps here, a sense of history and what’s gone on down the years and I’ve missed that, as well as all our staff.

“The building needs a little bit of TLC which we are working hard to deliver in time, as well as getting the systems up and running again so we can take bookings and welcome people in.”

She added: “It’s actually like opening up a brand-new hotel because it now has new operators and it’s very exciting. I foresee a happy future for this hotel under the new ownership. The message is clear – we are still here; we are offering a great service and we are open for business.”

The hotel features 63 nautical-themed rooms, as well as a rooftop terrace bar with waterfront views, a restaurant, events space and spa facilities.