Iconic Royal Fleet Hotel to be turned into Scientology church
DEVONPORT'S iconic Royal Fleet Hotel has been sold to the Church of Scientology.
The Herald has learned agents representing the hotel's owner — Midlands-based businessman Kailash Suri — completed the sale of the historic building on Friday. Last month, Mr Suri announced the hotel was set to close, 18 months after he bought it promising a multi-million-pound makeover.
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The-Royal-Fleet-Club-in-Devonport
He claimed the Morice Square building was losing money "drastically".
But yesterday, Mr Suri, the Church of Scientology and property consultants King Sturge confirmed the building has been sold for a figure of about £1million.
Mr Suri reportedly bought the property for just under £1.5million in December 2008.
Marianne Rowell, spokesman for the Church of Scientology, said: "The contracts have been exchanged and we have completed the purchase of the building.
"It is still functioning as a hotel at the moment. Functions are continuing until June 22 when we take it on.
"We will then put in a planning application and fundraise to refurbish the building."
Scientologists have been searching for properties in Plymouth for the past three years with the view to opening a "bold" and "prominent" new church.
The current Church of Scientology in Ebrington Street is deemed as being "too small" for the needs of its followers. It has about 3,000 to 5,000 sq ft of floor space. The new church will have about 40,000 sq ft.
"Scientology, especially in the South West, is growing and that is why we need such a large premises," said Miss Rowell.
"There are about 12,000 scientologists in the region."
A planning application is likely to be submitted within the coming months to allow the refurbishment to take place to convert it into a church.
Miss Rowell said the church was keen to "enhance" the 110-year-old building, bringing it back to its original splendour.
Miss Rowell also hinted that a celebrity could officially open the building later this year. Another spokesman, Lili Mathieson, said the church was keen to change people's perceptions of the following.
As well as specific scientology events, the building — which will host about 150 volunteers and paid staff — will continue to welcome community events and functions.
"Most people freak out about us, but they don't actually know anything about us," said Miss Mathieson.
"We have had so many conversations about this issue.
"We would invite people to come in and look at what we do.
"We want to assist in the community and play a productive part of that community."
Miss Mathieson added that outreach workers from the church would also be looking to work within the Devonport community helping the local police.
As part of the plans, the Ebrington Street site will be renovated and converted into an information centre for the church.
Mr Suri, who also owns Plymouth's Reel Cinema, told The Herald: "The Church of Scientology has bought the building.
"Someone bought it on their behalf, completing the deal last Friday."
Mr Suri said he was sad to have sold the building but admitted the market was against him.
"It is a great shame, but the market was against us," he said.
Ifan Rhys-Jones, a business space agency surveyor at Plymouth's King Sturge, said: "It has been a long search and we have looked at a lot of properties.
"It has been quite hard to find a big enough building in Plymouth.
"My remit was to find something of around 50,000 sq ft which would be suitable for educational use and public assembly.
"We have worked hard to find them a suitable site."
Among the buildings which the scientologists looked at buying are Mills Bakery at the Royal William Yard in Stonehouse; the Royal Eye Infirmary in Mutley; the former University of Plymouth School of Architecture building opposite Bar Ha Ha in the city centre; and the former St Dunstan's Abbey School in Stonehouse.
An offer was made for the former St Dunstan's Abbey School site but it was not accepted.
SCIENTOLOGY facts
SCIENTOLOGY was founded in 1954 by science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard.
It defines itself as ‘the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life’.
Scientology teaches that people are immortal spiritual beings who have forgotten their true nature.
In 2005, the Church of Scientology stated its worldwide membership to be eight million.
Members say there are 12,000 scientologists in the South West of England.
Scientology has been the subject of much criticism in the UK over the past few years.
Protesters have campaigned against the church’s presence in Plymouth on numerous occasions.
One of the many rumours surrounding Scientology is that it is linked to extraterrestrial civilisations with scientologists believing in alien interventions in Earthly events.
110 Comments
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by Rex Fowler, Plymouth
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 9:46AM
“The Plymouth Scientology Ideal Org website is now online - http://plymouthideal.org
Please check back regularly for updates!”
by Rex Fowler, Plymouth
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 5:33PM
“It should be noted that Scientologists are told that if they read OT3 before they have completed (and paid for) all the levels beneath it, then an R6 implant will be triggered in the body resulting in terminal pneumonia.
And with reference to Tommy Davis in the previous comment, he is the current Scientology spokesperson. Prior to admitting that OT3 was true, he had consistently lied by saying that OT3 was something created by critics of Scientology.
A video of Tommy Davis's fails is here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4gcd0sq_QI”
by Rex Fowler, Plymouth
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 2:56PM
“This is the top secret OT3 doctrine from Scientology. By the time Scientologists read this, they would have spent around £200,000 in courses and donations.
As to its legitimacy, it has been confirmed as true by many ex Scientologists who studied this level. It was also verified as accurate by Tommy Davis during a TV interview:
----------------------------------
Data (1) (1)
The head of the Galactic
Confederation (76 planets around
larger stars visible from here)
(founded 95,000,000 yrs ago, very space opera)
solved overpopulation (250 billion
or so per planet -- 178 billion on
average) by mass implanting.
He caused people to be brought to
Teegeeack (Earth) and put an H Bomb
on the principal volcanoes (Incident 2)
and then the Pacific area ones
were taken in boxes to Hawaii
and the Atlantic Area ones to
Las Palmas and there "packaged."
His name was Xenu. He used
renegades. Various misleading
data by means of circuits etc.
was placed in the implants.
When through with his crime Loyal Officers
(to the people) captured him
after 6 years of battle
and put him in an electronic
mountain trap where he still
is. "They" are gone. The place (Confed.)
has since been a desert.
-----------------------------------
You can see for yourself the OT3 manuscript in L Ron Hubbard's handwriting at http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/OTIII/”
by Rex Fowler, Plymouth
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 3:38AM
“I see Milo has linked to a page on 'Freedom Magazine'.
Freedom Magazine is a Scientology produced magazine that exists purely to promote their propaganda whilst at the same time tries to slander its critics.
Scientology also has a couple of organisations called 'Religious Freedom Watch' and the 'Citizens Commission on Human Rights'.
So I notice that Milo can only comment from Scientology written, approved and controlled sources.
What I would say to anyone reading this is to use INDEPENDENT and VARIOUS sites by searching on google. The truth is out there. It is just a shame that you are too blind to see it Milo.”
by Milo, Phoenix, Arizona
Monday, June 07 2010, 8:25PM
“Hi there, Matt, Dan, and Rex!
You can call me Boy; you can call me Roy; just don¿t call me late for dinner. I like Milo. Easy to type. Call me whatever you want. That¿s not important. Oh- thanks for the free publicity for the nicest city in South Dakota. Saint Anthony¿s Catholic. Church has the most beautiful cathedral for thousands of miles around, and we locals are rightly proud of it. And, yes, the priest there and the Baptist minister at Glory Bound Baptist Church are definitely Spirit-filled people you should get to know. Be sure to stop in when you visit the States.
Do you guys always wake up on the grumpy side of the bed? Anyone reading this can see through your fabrications; the data is too easily checked. I¿ve answered many of your questions but ye seem incapable of hearing. Let¿s try one more time.
Let¿s start with your Number One Apostate. The one who apparently drives you into such fits of indignation. Even he would be the first to admit to how wonderful the technology of Scientology is. But you already know that in reading his many web postings elsewhere. So why pretend you don¿t know Scientology works, and works exactly as stated? It¿s on your own hate websites.
Why attack a Church? If Scientologists were guilty of any real crimes, wouldn¿t a prosperous, expanding worldwide movement make lawyers see dollar signs? Scientology would be an easy mark. Unless you¿re suggesting that Scientology already has taken over the justice systems of the richest nations on earth. Yet every ambulance-chaser has ended up in frustration.
Now I can¿t account for all the ravings of a person who would commit perjury, but I can fill you in on some of the claims of your ring-leader:
http://www.freedommag.org/special-reports/cnn/video-a-beating-every-day.html
This shows not only that he was lying through his teeth, but there are literally thousands of witnesses who can attest to it.
Now, if this is his best shot, why bother handling all the other lies? Come into the Church. Get your perception blocks handled. Or just talk to a Scientologist. Only someone who was quite dead-set against others becoming more powerful would object to someone looking for himself.
Scientology makes a safer environment. As we win, everyone wins.”
by Milo, Phoenix, Arizona
Monday, June 07 2010, 7:09PM
“Hi, Mick!
Thanks for putting in your perspective. I suppose one could regard that there is no Christian any more successful in God's eyes than any other, but since I only have my eyes to work with, mine say there is a world of difference Christian to Christian. How else could some of them been killing each others with such enthusiasm in Northern Ireland for so long?
What is the solution to such struggles? Well, it sure didn't come from within the religious hierarchy. It came through the parties getting in communication and making real agreements. It holds to the degree that these things stay in. Well, if communication, reality and agreements ARE the basis of peace, then perhaps we should know more about these factors. Where does one go to find out about them? If you guessed Scientology, you're right!
Common questions can be answered through this site,
http://www.scientologytoday.org/Common/question/pg03.htm
or of course you're always welcome to visit designerphilosophy.com, too.”
by Hermes (and Thelemia), Plymouth
Friday, June 04 2010, 8:04PM
“I emailed Plymouth City Council placing an objection to the occupation of the Royal Fleet Hotel against Scientology:
Yesterday, you contacted us to lodge a formal complaint about "the proposed occupation of the Royal Fleet Hotel by the cult Scientology on the grounds Scientology are actively involved in bullying, victimisation, and extensive collusionary illegal practice including human rights breaches and 'hate' campaigns". As this is a "private" business transaction, we are not in a position to influence the purchase of these premises by the Scientologists. It is my understanding that if this building's use is to be changed from its current function a "planning" application for a "change of use" is likely to be needed. If this applies to this particular situation our planning section would assess the situation as per the usual rules and regulations when and if an application is received.”
by Mick, Barbican
Friday, June 04 2010, 7:01PM
“Why are we so bothered anyway? If people want to reject Jesus and go with Scientology it's no skin off our noses..:)”
by V4Vendetta, Devon
Friday, June 04 2010, 3:53PM
“Here is a link for you Milo :
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,972865,00.html - The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power - and here is the story of Scientology's failed attempt to suppress the story - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thriving_Cult_of_Greed_and_Power
This is the real story of Scientology and its machinations.”
by Sebastian McNoodlesponge, Plymouth
Friday, June 04 2010, 11:03AM
“Thank goodness this building is tucked away on the edge of Devonport rather than being in Plymouth city centre.”