Poole Quay Hotel closes 'with immediate effect'

The former Thistle Hotel, along the quay front, has been expected to close for some time after planning approval was given last summer for a new hotel, flats and shops. 

A notice on the door said: “With immediate effect, we regret to inform you that Poole Quay Hotel is now closed until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances. 

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.” 

The notice said any questions should be directed to MHA Burleigh Poole Ltd, the developer behind the new build. The Echo has approached MHA for more details.

Poole Quay Hotel boasted 70 bedrooms, most of which had sea views, as well as two meeting rooms for events and weddings. 

There was also a restaurant and bar open to residents. 

There had been five years of discussions with developers and the council over plans to demolish the hotel and replace it. 

Read more: Major redevelopment plan for Poole Quay hotel site approved

Approval was given last August for five buildings (ranging between three to seven storeys) providing a new 146-bedroom hotel, 179 residential flats and two shops.  

The 179 apartments will comprise of 65 one-bed, 104 two-bed, and ten three-bed units. However, the residential project would not accommodate any dedicated car parking. 

CGI for what will replace the hotel (Image: MHA)

Andi Kercini, head of development at MHA, previously described the new proposals as “first-class facilities for Poole”. 

Before being a hotel, the site was home to the famous East Quay Gasworks, largely used as a coal depot from transporter ships. 

This lasted until the 1970s until the Thistle Hotel was then built the following decade. 

Previous proposals for 228 flats in four blocks, a 118-bed hotel and multiple commercial units were rejected by BCP Council’s planning committee in 2021.