Response to Borough Council of Wellingborough press release

Response to this press release:

Despite the condition of the local and national economy, and especially at a difficult time for independent businesses in the hospitality sector, the owners have continued ongoing repair works in respect of internal and external areas of the building to the tune of £10,000-£15,000 annually. 

One of the images being circulated by the council is of the attic which is out of bounds to the general public.

Mr Shasha Khan, son of the owner said, “We are still in discussion with the council regarding the Heritage Lottery Fund application, and negotiations are ongoing in a collaborative manner. That is why the owners are surprised and saddened that the council has decided to issue such a press release.”

The owners have identified areas within the lottery application which are restrictive. For example, it appears, the grant needs to be paid back if we sell the business within ten years, in a method that seems disproportionate to the investment made(1). Other clauses need clarification and we have sought to seek legal and contractual advice. It is important to note the owners only received the 18 page application on 2^nd January.

On 26^th January 2013, Mr Shasha Khan, met with Peter Bone MP (2). who has written to the council on behalf of the owners and views the conduct of the council as to being “unsatisfactory” given the present economic climate.

Subsequent to Wellingborough Council sending out their press release (3), the owners spoke to the relevant council officers who agreed that opting to send out such a press release had been abrupt, when they had not even replied to the letter sent to them on 17^th January.

The vast majority of Grade I and II listed buildings in the country are huge manor houses, not open to the public, which are privately owned, and occupied, by the aristocracy. Given that these houses have been with these respective families for generations, the owners of The Hind Hotel find it peculiar that the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) that is ultimately drawn from people on lower incomes playing the national lottery, is supplementing the income of the aristocracy, so that they can pay for their listed building repairs. In all probability, the owners of the Hind Hotel are not likely to remain the owners in 10 years time, and will be required to pay the HLF ‘grant’ back, whereas the wealthy aristocracy will not be selling their properties within 10 years and will enjoy the full benefits of the ‘grant’.

Ends

Notes:

            (1)       13.3    All Grants are subject to repayment clauses which may            mean paying back a share of the proceeds if the property is sold        within a specified period.  The THI Office, Borough Council of      Wellingborough will require repayment of a share of any increase in             value beyond that which was anticipated in calculating the Grant       originally.  This will apply:

-           for Grants up to £22,300 the repayment period will apply for 5 years from date of acceptance

-           for Grants over £22,300 the repayment period will apply for 10 years from date of acceptance

       (2)       MP for Wellingborough

             (3)       29^th January 2013