The historic Liverpool hotel, once the registration point for the RMS Titanic, faces uncertainty as new owners take over amidst unpaid wages for former staff.
The 30 James Street Hotel, a historic property located in the Grade II* listed Albion House in the heart of Liverpool, has changed hands once again in a tumultuous period for the establishment. Originally renowned as the registration point for the RMS Titanic, the hotel closed its doors earlier this year amidst ongoing financial difficulties and staff unpaid for their work.
Previously owned by Signature Living, the hotel found itself in administration and was acquired by the Hamburg-based RIMC Hotels and Resorts in May 2023. Following the acquisition, RIMC announced ambitious plans for a multi-million pound redevelopment. However, these plans fell apart when the hotel began shuttering operations a few days each week before fully closing in February due to serious financial issues and an internal conflict between the company’s leadership. Marek Riegger, CEO of RIMC, asserted that the UK managing director Duncan Gray had unilaterally decided to close the hotel. Gray contested this claim, stating that the German management was fully aware of the financial necessity behind the closure.
As of now, former staff members continue to express deep frustration, with many reporting that they have not received wages for weeks or, in some cases, months. One employee, who requested anonymity, stated he is owed £1,800 and described his financial situation as desperate, stating, “As far as we are aware, we are not going to get paid. We have been advised to go down the legal route.” This worker expressed concern over the uncertainty of his situation, noting challenges in supporting his family while remaining unable to seek alternative employment until a formal redundancy is granted.
In a development that further complicates the situation, RIMC has confirmed that the hotel has been sold to Amsterdam-based Guessa Capital Invest B.V. A representative from Guessa, Cees Schutte, described the acquisition as occurring “totally blind,” implying that they were unaware of the existing issues within the hotel, which he referred to as “a disaster.” Schutte assured that his firm is keen to address the outstanding wages owed to former employees, indicating legal consultation has already begun. He remarked, “This is a beautiful building but it needs a lot of TLC. We are planning to pick up this hotel and restore it to what it deserves to be.” Despite expressing long-term commitment to rehabilitating the establishment, Schutte also mentioned his company is open to offers regarding future direction.
The situation remains fluid, with former employees awaiting clarity on unpaid wages and the future of the hotel as the new owners seek to navigate a path forward amidst significant challenges.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://titanicll.co.uk/titanic-hotel-30-james-street-liverpool/ – This URL supports the claim that 30 James Street is associated with the White Star Line and has a historic connection to the Titanic. It also provides details about the hotel’s location and architectural design.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion_House,_Liverpool – This URL corroborates the historical significance of Albion House, where the hotel is located, and its connection to the White Star Line as well as its architectural details.
- https://30jamesstreethotel.com – This URL provides information about the hotel’s luxury accommodations and its iconic status in Liverpool, highlighting its proximity to famous landmarks.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This URL does not directly exist in the search results as a specific news source, but it is mentioned as the source for the article about the recent developments at 30 James Street Hotel.
- https://titanicll.co.uk/titanic-hotel-30-james-street-liverpool/ – As this is the only specific hotel-related information available, it also supports general details about the hotel’s management and operational status.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is relatively recent, mentioning events that occurred in early 2023 and ongoing developments, indicating a good level of freshness. However, some elements could be checked for timeliness.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative includes quotes from Cees Schutte and an anonymous employee, but there are no directly verifiable sources for these quotes online. It is plausible these are original sources.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Liverpool Echo, known for reliable local reporting.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The situation described is plausible given the financial challenges mentioned, but some details like unpaid wages and leadership conflicts require further verification for complete accuracy.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is generally well-supported by its recent context and source reliability. However, some quotes and specific details could benefit from further verification.
