Chester Grosvenor Hotel to Close in 2026 Due to RAAC

The historic Chester Grosvenor hotel, a Grade II listed landmark in the city center since 1865, will close permanently on September 30, 2026, after operator Bespoke Hotels announced the decision to staff this week. The five-star property, located beside the iconic Eastgate Clock and renowned for its afternoon teas, faces shutdown due to the discovery of hazardous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, or RAAC, in parts of the building.

Recent structural surveys identified RAAC above the function suites, prompting the immediate closure of those conference facilities as a safety precaution. Bespoke Hotels, which has managed the hotel since 2015 under the ownership of the Grosvenor Estate, stated that the extensive remediation required for the RAAC, combined with broader refurbishment needs, made continued operations unfeasible. "Following the recent discovery of RAAC above the function suites, the scale and complexity of the works required to put a long-term solution in place, alongside necessary refurbishment works, we have taken the very difficult decision to cease operating The Chester Grosvenor," the company said in a statement.

The announcement has left employees reeling....