YES, THIS WAS AN APRIL FOOL'S STORY
CONFIDENTIAL can exclusively reveal plans that will at last get the redevelopment of London Road Fire Station off the ground.
"We want students to the Academy to have a jaw-dropping experience. We want them to be as stunned as the guests in our hotels at the standards we deliver."
London Road Fire Station has been the greatest disgrace in Manchester property for almost thirty years. It's become a byword, a legend.
Since being purchased by the Britannia Hotels - who also own the eponymous Britannia Hotel in the city centre and the Adelphi in Liverpool - the owners have let this huge, magnificent and prominent building moulder.
Time after time they've promised the 1906 structure will be converted into a hotel. Everytime they've failed to deliver.
Two and a half years ago they even beat off a compulsory purchase order from Manchester City Council to sort the problem. They did this through support from English Heritage to which they'd given guarantees of imminently restoring and developing the property.
The deadline for that ran out a long time ago. A duped English Heritage issued an embarrassed letter expressing their 'disappointment'.
The bosses at Britannia seemingly couldn't give a damn. Remember this is the first building travellers to Manchester see when emerging from Piccadilly Station and it's derelict.
Now at last there's action.
A fire engineThe Hotels Group has decided to create their own hospitality academy in London Road Fire Station, the Fire Station Hospitality Group. This will be completed by autumn 2017.
Anthony Woodhouse talking exclusively to Manchester Confidential, said, "We'll be spending a fortune, many millions, to make sure the fit-out is up to the standard of our hotels such as the Britannia in Manchester and the Adelphi in Liverpool.
"We want students to the Academy to have a jaw-dropping experience. We want them to be as stunned as the guests in our hotels at the standards we deliver. We believe these standards are unique in the hotel trade.
"As soon as students enter the building," he continued, "they'll realise no two carpets will be the same, that as many rooms as we can find will have no natural light and that fresh air will be at a premium."
GrapesKevin Langham, who will head up the new training centre, added: "That level of cost-control and professionalism will be paramount in all we do. For instance there will be courses on how to prepare quality meals in big metal containers while not increasing the carbon footprint of the group by using exotic imported goods such as grapes.
"Other courses in bar management will underline the need for a wide variety of drinks such as Stella, Carlsberg, Barcardi Breezers, Malibu and Lambrini.
"On leaving the Academy," added Kevin Langham, " We really want people to move into a job in other fields of employment which they'll probably find more rewarding."
Sorry but no. There will be no room for flamboyant dogs in the Fire Station Academy
