England's oldest Hotel destroyed by fire

I have walked past the Royal Clarence Hotel on Cathedral Green, Exeter many times and have always thought what a beautiful building it was, not realising that it was England's first Hotel to be so called. So I was saddened this morning to hear that fire fighters were tackling a blaze which started in an adjacent art gallery.

Only last night I was looking at their menu and considering booking a table there but it looks as though it will be closed for some time now. A real blow for the hotel and the city centre just before Christmas.

Very sad.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-37796576

Re: England's oldest Hotel destroyed by fire

That's sad news, LD. It always upsets me when I see business premises destroyed like this.

Re: England's oldest Hotel destroyed by fire

It's been on our local TV news all day. I hope they contain it & it doesn't spread to other buildings. The firefighters will be there all night.

Re: England's oldest Hotel destroyed by fire

That's awful such a lovely old building

Re: England's oldest Hotel destroyed by fire

Just seen it on the news this morning: it's still ablaze, and firefighters are predicting the frontage could collapse at any time. Such a shame, for the staff, guests and the locals.

Re: England's oldest Hotel destroyed by fire

It is a shame for the owners, but it doesn't look like anything out of the ordinary where the building design is concerned.

Re: England's oldest Hotel destroyed by fire

If you say so.

Re: England's oldest Hotel destroyed by fire

still book a table as they are now serving Crispy potatoes- charred meat and fryups and burnt toast

Re: England's oldest Hotel destroyed by fire

Such a shame! I do like Exeter, some lovely buildings.
There was an excellent busker there last time I went, older guy playing a guitar very entertaining!

Re: England's oldest Hotel destroyed by fire

Yes there have been some great musicians outside and all around Exeter in fact.

The interior has now completely collapsed and the facia is also started cracking and falling so I suppose the whole building will have to be demolished and something new built in it's place.