HUGE LOSSES BY LONDON CLUBS, HOTELS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 292, 7 April 1941, Page 3

HUGE LOSSES BY LONDON CLUBS, HOTELS

Several London municipalities, whose rate of revenue has already shrunk through bombings, face further loss as the result of the wartime slump in hotel and club life. The hearing has just concluded of the appeal by the Park Lane Hotel, Grosvcnor House, against its rates assessment. Evidence was given that in the first week of the war £187,000 worth of banquets were cancelled in that hotel alone. A profit of £131,500 in 1934-5 Avas converted to a deficit of £11,250 in 1939. The rating appeal court reduced the Grosvenor's £31,250 assessment to £20,156. An appeal to a higher court is likely, as rating appeals of nine other notable hotels in the West End,, including the Savoy and Dorchester, are pending. * A number of these hotels are unable to use their upper floors, because of patrons' bomb fears.

In Westminster Municipality, 68 out of 80 clubs, including most of the West Eend's. best, are appealing for reduction of assessments. The Conservative Club was granted a reduction from £10,625 to £8500. Evidence was given that only naval, military, and Air Force Clubs are prospering, and others have heavilj' lost in membership. * There will be an appeal in this case also.

The Indomitable' BriHsh. "If you saw what we see: if you heard—first hand—what Ave hear, then you avouUl thank God that Ave were born British," Avrites an Englishman to a friend in New Zealand. "The whole nation, the Avhole populace, suffering as never before they haA'e suffered, can laugh at adversity. Homes smashed—people maimed. One expects to look with sympathy at them. Instead, one is moved to admiration by the way tbey enrry on. There Avas one case here A house was smashed to the ground. The next daj r a small Union Jack was fluttering on top of tlie pile of bricks. We shall never, we can nev'?r l<.se Avhiie such spirit exists.

ft il g»;\nu to be British?;"