Orchid Gardens Hotel

Orchid Gardens Hotel
Orchid Gardens Hotel is located in Dorset
Orchid Gardens Hotel
Location within Dorset
Alternative names
Woodcroft Tower Hotel
General information
StatusDestroyed
TypeHotel
Architectural style
Victorian
LocationGervis Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
Coordinates50°43′10″N 1°52′03″W / 50.7195°N 1.8676°W / 50.7195; -1.8676
Year built19th century
Technical details
Floor count4

The Orchid Gardens Hotel, also known as the Woodcroft Tower Hotel, was a historic hotel on Gervis Road in the East Cliff area of Bournemouth, Dorset, England. Vacated after going into administration in 2013, the building later fell into disuse and was largely destroyed by a major fire in September 2020, which investigators subsequently said was deliberate.

History

The site is owned by the Meyrick Estate.[1] The hotel was formerly named the Woodcroft Tower Hotel.[2] Legacy Hotels & Resorts took over the hotel in 2012.[3] The building was vacated in 2013 after the hotel went into administration.[4] The site was purchased by the neighbouring Orchid Hotel and it was used for storage and car parking.[5] The former hotel was reportedly occupied by squatters.[6] The building was warned to be a fire risk.[7] A fire was reported in June 2018.[8]

On 24 September 2020, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to a large fire reported at the hotel.[9] Over 100 firefighters responded and surrounding roads were closed off.[10] Crews came from Christchurch, Poole, Ferndown, Hamworthy, Wimborne and Verwood to assist the response.[11] People staying at neighbouring hotels were evacuated.[12] In 2022, investigators said they believe the fire was set deliberately.[1] The building was largely destroyed.[13] In the years since then the remaining structure has crumbled.[14]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Revealed: The cause of huge hotel fire confirmed more than a year after devastating blaze". Bournemouth Echo. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  2. ↑ "Fire destroys derelict Bournemouth hotel". Dorset View. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  3. ↑ Eversham, Emma (7 October 2012). "Legacy to run Bournemouth's Orchid and Woodcroft hotels". restaurantonline.co.uk. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "'A disaster waiting to happen': Hotelier warned of fire risk". Bournemouth Echo. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "Hotel boss fears over used syringes in neighbouring gardens". Bournemouth Echo. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Derelict buildings in Bournemouth are a "dangerous" health hazard and could damage economy". Bournemouth Echo. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "Major fire risk concerns over derelict Bournemouth hotel". Bournemouth Echo. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  8. ↑ ""The fire was a strong warning": Hotelier speaks out over derelict building". Bournemouth Echo. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "Two Bournemouth hotels evacuated due to fire nearby". BBC News. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Huge fire destroys four-storey town centre hotel with others evacuated". Bournemouth Echo. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  11. ↑ Cork, Tristan (24 September 2020). "Firefighters tackle huge hotel fire as guests and staff evacuated". SomersetLive. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  12. ↑ "Bournemouth hotel fire: 'I panicked. I could see the flames coming really close'". Bournemouth Echo. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  13. ↑ "More than 100 firefighters tackle blaze at derelict hotel in Bournemouth". ITV News. 25 September 2020.
  14. ↑ Knight, Hannah (6 February 2024). "Derelict hotel abandoned for years branded an 'eyesore' by residents". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
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