Coventry Hotels

Back in the late 70s/early 80s some of us from Jaguar went to the Allesley Hotel for a lunchtime drink on a Thursday each week. At that time, it was owned by Fred Kilpatrick. One of our number knew Fred well - fortunately. One Thursday we were sitting there supping, and a barmaid came over tie in hand, and asked one of our number to put it on. Next week, there were little signs on the glass doors (each of which had the Masonic Square and Compass - it had been owned by the Masons); each sing had a cartoon on it, and the words Guests are asked to wear collar and tie and be dressed properly whilst patronising this establishment. The guy who knew Fred was a brilliant cartoonist (he was a draughtsman); he measured the stickers, and next week stuck his own over them They had a drawing of a man with the caption Guests are asked to wear bow tie, string vest, jock strap and wellies whilst patronising this establishment. We were banned after Fred spotted them. Now, I'm wondering what happened to the Allesley Hotel? It didn't seem to do much trade, and I think it may have closed?

It's still there Keith and still running. Does a lot of trade from weddings and events going on at the NEC. My dad knew Fred Kilpatrick - he was mentioned here recently under a thread about The Royal Court Hotel which he also owned. He retired to Jersey and I did read he may have passed away recently. Hotel website

My mum was a Silver Service waitress there for a number of years. Under the owner Kilpatrick. I also remember the burns on her arms from the hot plates she had to carry, 3 at a time I think. It had a very good reputation as with the Royal Court for the food and service.

This from October 2012 : One of the most central hotels in Coventry is up for sale again. The former Leofric Hotel in Broadgate, which was rebranded as the Travelodge, has been put on the market with five other UK Travelodge hotels. The hotel is up for sale as part of the Travelodge hotel chain's financial restructuring plan. The company needs to write off £700 million debts and offload 49 of their hotels. The 120-room Coventry hotel is being sold by specialist property advisers Christie & Co on behalf of Piccadilly Hotels. Director of hotels and licensed division for Christie & Co, Gavin Wright, said: "Given the strategic location of these Travelodge hotels and the potential for new operators to explore re-branding them in both budget and mid-market segments, we expect a great deal of competitive interest." Travelodge which owns more than 500 hotels throughout the UK are also trying to reduce the rents at around 109 of its hotels as part of their controversial rescue deal. The company originally said that they were not planning on closing any of their hotels or making any job losses. The Coventry Travelodge opened three years ago after the Leofric closed in 2008. Travelodge spent £4 million on renovations for the hotel; they removed the conference and banqueting facilities and added a further 26 rooms to the property. The other Travelodges going up for sale are in Bath, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Oldham and Stevenage. The Leofric was built in 1950 and was one of the first hotels to be built in the area after the Second World War. It was seen as a symbol of Britain's recovery.

Hi all, I am sad, but not surprised. Only a thought, but on paper was the Leofric a replacement for the 'Queens' hotel, which was near to the general post office in Hertford St?

Hi Philip It was more likely a replacement for the King's Head Hotel which once stood where Broadgate House is today.

Hi Dutchman & thank you. I remember the Queens because of the huge hand holding a Queens playing card at the entrance. The Kings Head had well gone before I was around. Hope you ok.

There are new hotels with better car parking and access now. This one is stuffed in the corner of a dismal shopping precinct. It'll probably end up as more student flats.

Although my wife and I have lived in Crete for the past four years we are both born and bred in Coventry. During this period we have made five visits back home to visit relatives and friends and also to stock up with toiletries and food products, three of these visits we have stayed at the Travelodge with the other twice staying at the Britannia which although a much more salubrious hotel is now too expensive compared to the Travelodge. Regards.

Another sad closure. I remember when this place was in its pomp in the 80s As an aside, its amazing where names & places pop up. The hotel is mentioned in the autobiography of Charlie Kray, brother of the Kray twins. Apparently he used to stay there when up to some dodgy dealings in the Midlands John

And even before then, in the days of John Wearmouth

Hi everybody, does anybody know what is happening with the Travelodge, has it been sold or just closing down? Regards.

Good grief! I'm astounded that what used to be Coventry's finest hotel (Leofric) now looks like some institution Surely it has not always been like this? I stayed in student accommodation in Poland in 1970 that was better than this

We use Travelodge quite a lot. I admit that some are showing signs of wear and are a bit spartan but, value for money is excellent. We have never had a dirty room and find them quite ample for crashing out after a long day out and are always gone by 8 in the morning. Who needs the extras when you are only staying for a few hours.

Hi Mattash I arrived late to my pre-booked Travelodge, & it was awful. Dirty, with unchanged linen, dirty coffee cups, you name it. So, I moved to a pub the following day. I was staying for about a week. That is why they refunded my costs fully. ps. When I say late, too late to rearrange that evening.