Famous Plymouth Astor Hotel closes with loss of 25 jobs

“@MissAnthrope
Going a bit off subject, I would say that a majority of English people would like us out of Europe and the government is very aware of the current feeling, hence that lack of a national vote on European membership.
Why do we give away hundreds of millions every year to Brussels and that yearly subscription goes up and up continuously. Every time a country goes into financial meltdown as in Greece and Spain we are one of the first countries approached cap in hand by France and Germany etc to bail them out, the irony is we ourselves are borrowing money to keep another economy afloat and thereby putting ourselves in the same position as those we are attempting to pull from the mire.
It's a false economy remaining in a market that's taking more out of us than we're receiving back.
I'm sure the real reason for us remaining in the European union is more about fear of standing alone as a country rather than any financial advantage, but another irony is that we are standing alongside our old adversaries Spain, France and Germany and relying on them this time to support us and not stab us in the back.
It's what's called the friendly invasion, most of our national institutions are now run by or owned by European companies. Time methinks for the British to take back our national treasures and moreso our country and tradition.

As for the Astor, well done to the staff for supporting your boss and the hotel. I have heard good things about this man and I love quirky people :)”

“@MissAnthrope. Probably like yourself, I would like to see more and more unskilled labour flooding these shores and given a house and the means to sustain a higher standard of living from whence they came but that won't happen will it? No. This selfish Government of ours continues to spend too much on taking care of our elderly and those struggling to put food on the table and keep warm, than they do on immigrants don't they? I wish all our homeless, sick and unemployed would stop moaning and just get on with it, don't you? Guess I'm with you on this one.”

“I see. And what, pray tell, is the stance of the 'majority of brits'? Bear in mind I expect you to provide evidence for that statement, which doesn't mean what a mate said down the pub.”

“I worked for Joseph at the Astor along with our team. It is a very sad situation. We have all been lefted jobless with family & bills to pay.
Joseph did his best & will contiue to do his best to save our Hotel. We DO NOT want this beautiful building to become flats or something. It must stay a Hotel.
Joseph treated us fairly & like family always, none of us were under minium wage, it was a great place to work, i miss everybody and i just hope its not the end of an era .
Joseph does not deserve this, he always tried to help people and unfortuatly seems to be made to look the bad one.
I wish all my Astor team the best of luck & Joseph we have your back, you know that.!!”

“@MissAnthrope. My view on immigration is probably the same as the majority of Brits but there's little we can do about it.
Without reading and listening, how else do we draw conclusions on any subject? Bet you did really well at school and through life.
@Brian137. I'm aware of Lady Astor but we've still got Astor Feild (Field).”

“The hotel is only 50 yards from the world-famous Hoe, so it beats me why its gone bust, it's not as if it's some seedy backstreet joint in a grotty big city somewhere”

“Let's just say that some people have difficulty understanding what an "apprenticeship" really is.If ,for arguments sake,you offered such a thing to a young person then rather than paying for them to go to college and training them for a career as a chef you used them as free,yes unpaid,labour in your kitchens while promising the earth that would be exploitation. Of course they wouldn't stay very long but hey there's always another youngster full of enthusiasm and innocence to take their places.
I'd guess such a person,should they run the rest of their business along similar lines might well find themselves out of business.
Obviously Mr Louei as a much-loved and respected employer would agree.”

“Btw my stance on immigration is we should be looking after pensioners and the sick etc rather than giving away resources to people who come into this land just to get a bit extra which they can send back home for a rainy day.
Those who really need help are a different story”

“The hotel is famous and will go on, hopefully as the Astor (A physical reminder of a strong willed lady who kept up local moral in WW2 and made sure that Plymouth was rebuilt in a relatively short space of time).”

“You've never been there, but do read the papers, watch television and listen to rumours. Well what a very informed opinion you have TheMercenary. No doubt you have a very well informed opinion on many topics. Come on, lets hear your stance on immigration...”