YMCA Dulverton Group has acquired Flowerdown House in Weston-super-Mare from Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) following its closure by the charity last year.
YMCA Dulverton Group has taken on the hotel as an acquisition to its portfolio of hotels across the west, renaming it in line with its Beach Hotel brand, which began in Minehead in 2014. Having no hotelier background, it has built its social enterprise hotel group over the past 7 years. YMCA Dulverton Group, with its 3 hotels, alongside its further 3 accommodation and event venues all in amazing locations across the west of England, will be bringing the RAFA Flowerdown hotel back into use this summer as the Beach Hotel Weston-super-Mare. The building has been leased from the RAFA to the YMCA who are now planning a mini refurbishment and recruitment drive ready for opening in late May.
Building on its model of social enterprise, offering great quality accommodation and meals, whilst supporting young people into training and employment, the hotel offers eighteen en suite rooms, and bar and restaurant area. It is located on the seafront, a stone’s throw away from the Tropicana and a five minute walk into the town.
Dave Jackson the YMCA’s Head of Community Enterprise said: “It’s such a great privilege to take over a building with so much history and in such a great location. Our experience over the past years in Minehead puts us in a good position to be a great addition to visitor’s stays in Weston-super-Mare.”
The YMCA’s other Hotels include the Beach Hotel, Minehead and The Great Western Hotel, Taunton. Each operates with the same model, providing excellent facilities, great customer service and with the ultimate aim of supporting young people into employment and training.
Dave Jackson added: “The team began the conversation with RAFA last year and it became clear very quickly that whilst charities with very different beneficiaries, our values were well aligned, and it’s great to be able to continue the operation as a hotel, whilst so many in this area have been closed as a result of financial pressures of the last year.”
