A celebrated Liverpool chef has said he would consider getting involved with The Adelphi Hotel if it were to come under new ownership.
The Adelphi is one of the city's most famous hotels and was once considered a Liverpool gem, but under current owners Britannia it has been described as a "blight" on the city.
The hotel is under particular pressure at present as it finds itself the subject of two ongoing Liverpool Council Environmental Health investigations. One of these concerns the tragic death of 21-year-old Chloe Haynes, who was crushed to death during a stay at the Adelphi in September.
READ MORE: Liverpool's Adelphi Hotel is under more pressure than ever
The hotel has also recently seen its food hygiene rating slashed from a four to a two following an inspection in September.
People in and around the city have been growing frustrated with the management of the famous building, with calls for action to be taken. Some have suggested the city council could carry out a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the hotel. A CPO is a move which allows a public authority to acquire land without the consent of the owner.
If that were to take place, one figure who could be interested in getting involved in a new start for The Adelphi is Paul Askew. Mr Askew is the chef-patron of the hugely successful Art School and one of a number of figures behind the new Barnacle restaurant within Duke Street Market. He is also a leading voice for the city's hospitality sector.
Paul was involved with others in a social media discussion about the need for a change of direction for The Adelphi. He commented that the hotel should be "restored to its former glory" and could be turned into "The Ritz of the North."
When Greater Manchester hospitality tsar Sacha Lord suggested Paul could turn the run-down hotel into a "gem", the chef responded to say: "Let's get going on it."
Speaking to the ECHO after the exchange, Mr Askew said: "I remember just before capital of culture there was talk of a compulsory purchase as the council were very fed up of the constant issues with The Adelphi.
"For me its importance is enormous in terms of its original status as the number one hotel in the North and to have a 400 plus room 5 star Hotel in Liverpool would just be such a huge leap and a huge statement for our great city as VE continues to drive the cities economy."
Asked if he would get involved "I would always fly the flag for our great city so yes would be the answer but the deal would have to be right."
The ECHO has been repeatedly asking the current Adelphi Owners, Britannia Hotels, for responses to recent issues and complaints. As yet no one has replied.
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