Latest news with #MetropoleHotel
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- General
- Powys County Times
Llandrindod club disappointed after VE Day flag vandalised
THE Royal British Legion in Llandrindod Wells has expressed disappointment after a flag commemorating VE Day was vandalised. The club reiterated its support for veterans living in and from the town after the incident, which is believed to have occurred sometime after May 8, which marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day. 'We are disappointed to see vandalism to the VE flag and ropes, that were erected in commemoration of VE Day,' read a post on the Llandrindod Wells - Royal British Legion Facebook page on May 31. 'It is such shame to have to experience this lack of regard for the veterans, both men and women, that served and defended our country so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. 'Their sacrifice and dedication deserve our gratitude and respect. 'For those that have served and are still serving in our armed forces, we appreciate and honour your dedication to serving your country, ensuring our freedom and way of life.' The news sparked anger locally, with one commenter replying: 'It's heartbreaking that every village in UK has a nucleus of this class of person now. 'Smashing and vandalising everything they see. Tragic really that parents have lost control over their kids.' One other said the vandalism 'makes my blood boil', while the behaviour of whoever was responsible was labelled 'disgraceful', 'disgusting' and 'disrespectful'. Others branded those responsible 'mindless yobs' and 'disrespectful toerags'. It leaves a sour taste following impeccable organisation of and attendance at a number of events held in Llandrindod to commemorate VE Day. VE Day in the spa town was marked throughout the week, including on Sunday, May 11, with a service being held at the town's war memorial, on Temple Street, adjacent to the Metropole Hotel, and led by Rev Andrew Tweed. 'Our mayor, Cllr Marcia Morgan, laid wreaths on behalf of the community at the war memorial and hospital,' said Llandrindod Wells Town Council in a post. 'It was lovely to see so many people in attendance and particularly the current and previous servicemen and women. 'Congratulations to Llandrindod Wells Royal British Legion for working so hard on this important commemoration.' Town Crier Jan Swindale had previously organised a VE Day 80 proclamation event on May 8, while choirs from both Ysgol Cefnllys and Ysgol Trefonnen performed. The celebrations had started on May 5 with a family tea party at the Royal British Legion premises on Tremont Road.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Centre clears use of Nainital's Metropole Hotel as temporary parking space to ease traffic woes
Nainital: To address Nainital's ongoing parking crisis, the Union ministry of home affairs on Wednesday issued formal directives allocating the premises of the Metropole Hotel to the Uttarakhand govt for temporary use as a parking facility. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Built in 1880, the hotel once belonged to the Raja of Mehmoodabad, who migrated to Pakistan. A luxury destination in its prime, it famously hosted figures such as Pakistan's founding father, Mohd Ali Jinnah, who spent his honeymoon there. It was designated 'enemy property' in the early 1960s. The ministry's decision follows a request by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who cited the tourist town's acute parking shortage and proposed using the hotel's expansive open grounds, capable of accommodating over 1,000 vehicles, for public parking. According to a state govt communique, Union home minister Amit Shah responded positively, confirming the ministry's approval in an official letter to the CM. Thanking Shah, Dhami said the move would "significantly ease traffic congestion and improve logistical convenience in the region." Spread over 10 acres, the once-celebrated property had fallen into disrepair after being declared enemy property, with encroachers gradually occupying its open land. In 2023, around 134 families were evicted following Supreme Court orders. In Oct last year, the custodian office of enemy properties under the Union home ministry had issued a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Nainital district magistrate, allowing surface parking on an ad-hoc basis.
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Win a break away to see Dec Pierce's Block Rockin Beats Live at the Marquee Cork
We have teamed up with Live at the Marquee to give you the chance to win a pair of tickets to see Dec Pierce's Block Rockin Beats, plus an overnight stay with breakfast for two sharing at the luxury four-star Metropole Hotel. Prize Details One pair of tickets to Dec Pierce's Block Rockin Beats on Saturday, July 12. An overnight stay with breakfast for two people sharing at the Metropole Hotel, Cork. Terms and conditions apply, tickets and accommodation are for Saturday, July 12 only. No cash alternative. Editors' decision is final. Closing date 12 noon, Friday, June 6. For concert details
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The surprising seaside tourist destination that has been blighted by crime with robberies, pickpockets and shoplifting rife on its iconic shopping streets
It's one of Britain's most popular weekend haunts - but Brighton is being blighted by a crimewave on some of the city's most iconic shopping streets. Brighton's Regency neighbourhood, so-called as it is at the heart of the Regency city's old quarter, saw 2,436 crimes for every 1,000 residents last year. This is the worst crime rate for any big city neighbourhood in England outside of London or Birmingham, according to a new analysis of police data. The neighbourhood comprises the seafront and beach including the famous Brighton Palace Pier, the i360 observation tower and the tiny shopping streets and alleys known as The Lanes. There are dozens of bars, pubs, fast food and sit-down restaurants, kebabs shops, stores selling candy rock and seaside trinkets and it is a hotspot for revellers at the weekend. It is also home to the five-star Grand and four-star Metropole Hotels on the Regency seafront. But the community is also struggling to cope with a large homeless and transient population, many of whom suffer from mental health and addiction problems. Robberies, pickpockets and especially shoplifting is rife and the area after dark has been described as 'lawless.' Regency is a Lower Layer Super Output Area (LSOA), a term used to describe zones of 1,000 to 3,000 people created for administrative purposes. In order to compare urban crime rates, MailOnline obtained data for all LSOAs in English cities with a population of over 250,000 and ranked them by the number of crimes (ranging from petty offences to murder) per 1,000 people. Part of London's West End known for pickpockets and robberies had the highest crime rate last year of 16,348 per 1,000 residents, followed by two other areas in Westminster and then Ladywood in Birmingham (5,777 per 1,000). According to business leaders who ply their trade in Brighton's Regency neighbourhood, beggars, drug addicts and drunks gather in the area attracted by the rich pickings from tourists and visitors. Sam Farah, who runs Sparkling Newsagents, said: 'Especially at night and it becomes lawless. In my store they target the alcohol specifically. They walk in and just take it. 'Police have told us not to confront them so they know they can just get away with it so they do it repeatedly. 'This is especially typical in the 14-17 year age range where they know nothing can be done. 'Often they target a particular type of alcohol like champagne which has a high value but sometimes it's just things like Buzzball cocktails - which are all trending on TikTok at the moment. 'Some people can get quite violent if you confront them. We have CCTV all over the place but they do it anyway. There is no deterrent anymore.' MailOnline obtained data for all LSOAs in English cities with a population of over 250,000 and ranked them by the number of crimes per 1,000 people. This map shows the most crime-ridden LSOA in each city. No data available for Manchester On East Street, the famous Quadrophenia Alley - which featured in 1979 film Quadrophenia - has been renamed Smack Alley on account of the drug dealing that occurs there. Retailer Nick Wright said: 'There needs to be more deterrent. We hardly ever see a police officer down here. 'Police officers are too busy taking up their time with tick box crimes, filling in paperwork at the station and not spending enough time stopping crime from happening in the first place.' He called for a change in culture and said the high crime rate in Regency was no surprise to most of the traders that worked there. Another businessman said: 'We've been told that any thefts below £220 are victimless crimes and the CPS won't prosecute so there is no point in officers making arrests. 'As a result these criminals just go around as if they own the place, stealing stuff and selling it on to fund their drug and drink habits. 'It's organised crime - one person will steal an expensive, desirable jacket and if we give chase they'll pass it to another runner down the road who sprints off in a different direction. 'The police won't come so we're left having to claim on our insurance and our premiums go up and up. It's a dreadful situation.' Brighton is famous for its large number of independent shops and many of these are found in The Lanes, which is known for its jewellery stores and boutiques, and North Laine, which is just outside the Regency neighbourhood. One business owner, who has spent 45 years working in The Lanes, said: 'You never see a police officer. Fifteen years ago there was a visible deterrent around here but it's got worse and worse. 'The homeless, transient and traveller population has got much worse. We find human waste on our porch all the time, guys lying all over the pavement out of their heads. It's not good. 'As far as I can see the police do very little these days around here. They react to big crimes but the little crimes are ignored.' Down on the seafront there are a host of traditional boutique and small shops which say they are being menaced by shoplifters. Linda Car, who works with her daughter, Tina Davies, on the seafront said: 'It's scary sometimes how unprotected businesses are here. You would imagine the police would help but these days they simply don't.' Simon Sykes, 58, who has run All At Sea Shells for 20 years, said: 'We never see a police officer down here and it's a miracle if you can get one to come down following a genuine crime. 'Teenagers and youths are a big problem here. They work together to steal things from stores, often distracting owners while others pilfer your goods.' The former Royal Navy serviceman said: 'I've had kids pick up entire boxes of shells and run onto the beach and throw them into the sea while someone else films it for TikTok. It's crazy.' He said there were a lot of exchange and language students who behave 'appallingly' once they hit the seafront. 'There's no comeuppance for them because they are foreign and the police won't touch them, so they shoplift all sorts of things. I always watch out for them.' Ailynn Cruz, who runs Hoarder & Maker, said: 'They steal my stock and if I challenge them they get violent. 'I wish we had more police down here. It doesn't feel safe sometimes and we have to take measures to protect ourselves although we do have a good community of shopkeepers down here and we all look out for each other.' On North Street, on the outside edge of Regency, Greggs has suffered a particular blight of shoplifting with people walking in, picking up baguettes, cakes, crisps and drinks and then flagrantly walking off. In one day the store has seen up to a dozen such incidents with staff instructed to turn a blind eye. One resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'Until the council and the police do something to solve the horrendous homeless problem here then some parts of Brighton will continue to be blighted by scenes more akin to rough parts of San Francisco and LA. 'It's such a shame. Brighton is the queen of the Victorian seaside resorts but she's had her crown knocked off and is looking decidedly down at heel in recent years.' Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said: 'We have been working hard to tackle anti-social behaviour and levels of crime in this area of our city. We know all too well the impact that anti-social behaviour has on communities and safety. 'We have received feedback from residents telling us that the work we have been doing alongside Sussex Police and other stakeholders has made a noticeable difference and is having a significant impact and we are determined to keep going until everyone can feel the benefit. 'We will continue to respond to the concerns of local residents and do all we can to continue the positive work already underway.' Chief Inspector Simon Marchant, from Sussex Police's Brighton Command Team, said: 'We're fully aware of the concerns around anti-social behaviour and drug activity in the Regency area and our teams have been working tirelessly to tackle the issues head-on. Through increased high-visibility patrols, targeted enforcement, and close partnership with local stakeholders, we've made a real impact. 'We've also had real success in targeting county drugs lines operating in the area, resulting in multiple arrests, significant drug seizures and custodial sentences for key offenders. 'Residents have told us they've seen clear improvements in areas like Norfolk and Regency Square, and we're continuing to build on that progress with arrests, community protection orders, and daily hotspot patrols. We're also improving how we communicate, with more frequent updates and monthly ward-specific briefings, so communities stay informed and engaged in the work we're doing to keep their neighbourhoods safe. 'Please report any crimes or concerns online, via 101 or by calling 999 in an emergency.' West Midlands Police said: 'Over the last two years, crime has continued to fall in our communities since we introduced our new local operating model to bring a better spread of officers, detectives and specialist staff across the force delivering an improved service. 'Total crime across the West Midlands dropped by a further 18,000 offences (nearly 6%) over the last year alone. Compared with two years ago we have recorded 53,000 fewer crimes. 'There have been 3,000 fewer victims of domestic abuse, 1,500 fewer robberies and 2,500 fewer burglaries compared to last year. Knifepoint robberies have fallen by 24% in the last year.'
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
‘Peter O'Toole filled a vase with stout': Plumber who left note behind hotel wall in 1969 tracked down
They say if walls could talk ... Staff at the Metropole Hotel in Cork have tracked down one of four tradesman who hid a note in the wall of the hotel while working there more than half a century ago. Plumber John Keogh (86) was part of the maintenance crew at the hotel in the 1960s. Along with electrician Tommy Ross, carpenter Jerry Higgins and painter Steve Casey, he signed his name to a piece of paper that Tommy Ross placed in a wall in the lobby when they were doing refurbishment there in July 1969. 'We were all working with different firms,' said Mr Keogh, 'but we were all allocated to do maintenance at the Metropole. Jerry Higgins was the carpenter and what would happen is Jerry would take down the panels because Tommy would be tracing wires, and I would be tracing pipes. READ MORE 'Steve would come in then when it was all finished and do the painting, but it was probably Tommy who took off the bit of paper, but we all signed our names, and he put it behind a panel in the lobby. Somebody sent me a photo of the paper today and I recognised my signature straight away.' Mr Keogh lost contact with his colleagues in the Metropole maintenance crew over the years. He was just 31 at the time the note was written and Steve Casey was a similar age, while Jerry Higgins and Tommy Ross were much older men. But while over half a century has elapsed, Mr Keogh has great memories of working in the Metropole as he recalled nights being called out from his home at the top of Richmond Hill to make his way to the hotel to fix some problem, often meeting many of the stars who stayed there over the years. The Metropole hotel on MacCurtain Street in Cork city 'We could be called out at any hour – we had a great night there one time with Peter O'Toole. He went behind the bar and there was a vase with flowers in it and he just threw the flowers out and filled up the vase with stout. He wasn't long lowering it – that man could drink. 'Gregory Peck stayed there while they were filming Moby Dick in Youghal and I remember another time Trevor Howard – he was in Von Ryan's Express – my god, could he drink. The next morning he would be going around the hotel, dickie bow tie on him and you think he hadn't a drop inside him. 'The British model Christine Keeler – she was caught up in the whole Profumo affair about the Russian spy – she stayed there another time, and it was the girls who were telling me she was very nice, that she would do all her own ironing, no airs and graces about her at all.' The note signed by Mr Keogh and the other tradesmen was discovered in the lobby by workmen carrying out renovations and while Mr Keogh hasn't been back to the Metropole in recent times, he and his wife, Phyllis, hope to pay the 127-year-old hotel and its refurbished lobby and restaurant a visit. 'I wasn't inside the Metropole in years, but we're invited down now. When they heard me on the radio, they contacted me, which is nice of them. So myself and the missus will head down along – it will be nice to see the place again and see what progress they've made.'
