That building near Hindhead...

[GKP]

...y'know the half collapsed one on the side of the A3 close to the Canadian memorial trees. Any idea what it is/was or what plans there are for its future? It looks as though it was once a striking looking building, but it seems only demolition would fix it now.

[NWVT]

i believe it was a hotel/inn

[AndWhyNot]

Most recently it was a bar/ club used mainly by squaddies, but even that's going back nearly 20 years since it shut its doors commercially. Since dereliction I think it's been lived in as there's the usual crap across the floor but also things like a TV on upturned crates and sofas/ chairs in places they weren't when it was a bar.

[haggy]

Shame. I always wonder about that place too - theres also an old hotel that intrigues me on the left hand side as you carry along the A3 just over the M25

[TubbyNorman]

The Spaniard, wasn't that it's name. Rumour that the owner wanted to knock it down and build houses but no planning permission was granted due to proximity to A3. Or so I'm led to believe.

[Gingerbread Man]

TubbyNorman said:

The Spaniard, wasn't that it's name. Rumour that the owner wanted to knock it down and build houses but no planning permission was granted due to proximity to A3. Or so I'm led to believe.

A quick Google throws up;

It used to be a road house (service station) called the 'Seven Thorns'. This photo was taken pre WW1.

.

It later changed it's name to the Spaniard (60's & 70's), although it does have 'Raven's Nightclub' on the north facing wall.

Apparently it's a listed building and the owners where unable to get planning permission to knock it down & build houses/flats on the site. Unfortunately it was (accidentally of course) set on fire one night. The insurance paid out but the fire brigade got there in time to prevent the building being destroyed. It is apparently still structurally sound but it seems the owners had something better to spend the insurance money on..........




There we are folks, my research is done.

[Waugh-terfall]

I walk my dog almost directly behind it, always wanted to have an explore, so I took a little trip there with some class mates during A2 Photography last April (I think). Apparently the gypsies removed useful bits of it and there's junk everywhere, most of the upstairs has collapsed but the nightclub is almost all there, scary as hell when a truck rumbles past, the whole place vibrates though I think they've diverted the road away from it now? I've been in Canterbury for a few months, not a clue about the developments up there.

For some reason there's a painting booth thing in what was probably the back garden, anyone any clues as to why it's there?

Anyway, some photos for those that may be interested:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/waugh-terfall/sets/72...

Edited by Waugh-terfall on Sunday 6th June 04:21

[Karlos69]

I always wondered about that place too.

My older colleagues told me that it used to be a dodgy old nightclub, as someone already said a favourite with the Squaddies. They used to scrap and would spill out on to the road and into the path of traffic!

[Gingerbread Man]

A fireman friend who has been to the place a few times in his career, told me that it has recently had it's entertainments licence renewed. So the owners are still thinking about it.

[phelix]

haggy said:

theres also an old hotel that intrigues me on the left hand side as you carry along the A3 just over the M25

That's the San Domenico Restaurant, now closed. See http://www.ukexpert.co.uk/photopost/pubs-and-pub-2...

[holmbush]

The San Domenico is on one of my regular journeys. It is currently being re-decorated and the grounds tarted up. Maybe it is to be re-opened - I will keep a look out!

[Alex L]

San Domenico has been tarted up to put to the market for, if I recall, 3 or 4 A3 restaurant units , I've got the details in the office.

I'm also in discussions with the owners of the Spaniard....

[Jonny671]

holmbush said:

The San Domenico is on one of my regular journeys. It is currently being re-decorated and the grounds tarted up. Maybe it is to be re-opened - I will keep a look out!

Yeah I was going to say, I've noticed thats being painted up recently!