A prominent Powys hotel has emerged from a period of “potential disaster” and is looking forward to a prosperous winter period.

Not only has the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells battled, like the rest of Powys’ hospitality sector, the restrictions placed on it by the coronavirus pandemic over the last 18 months, it was also besieged by a fire earlier this year. The April blaze threatened to kill plans to reopen on the eve of the sector being brought back to life following the winter lockdown.

Dramatic images appeared of smoke billowing out of the iconic spa town hotel on social media, following the breakout of the fire in the laundry room just after 6pm on April 13.

Firefighters from six separate stations across Powys rushed to the scene, while Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service also set up an incident command unit on site.

The fire was contained to a laundry room basement but smoke had spread throughout the rear of the hotel – with function rooms having to be completely decorated following smoke damage.

Metropole owner Justin Baird-Murray took to Facebook following the fire to provide local residents with an update, and his light-hearted video posts have become a popular trend throughout a difficult period. In his latest post this week, he took viewers on a virtual tour of the refurbished rooms and conference suite, and looked ahead to what he hopes will be a busy winter, as well as paying tribute to his dedicated team of staff.

“I’m in the laundry room, the source of the fire on April 13. It’s looking much better now, as this place was a mess,” says Mr Baird-Murray, introducing the five-minute video, posted on the Metropole’s YouTube page on Monday (October 25).

“We’ve got a lovely new tumble dryer and washing machine. We can’t do all the laundry here as it’s far too small. We do need to get certain things done and that’s what we use that space for, but most of the work is outsourced.”

After emerging from the laundry room and walking through a set of fire doors, he adds: “You may have heard a bang just then, these are the great fire doors, which really did their job well in April.”

County Times: The fire at the Metropole Hotel in April. Picture by Alice Napier. The fire at the Metropole Hotel in April. Picture by Alice Napier.

Mr Baird-Murray talks about how pleased he is with the work done in the David Spencer Suite, including the addition of new furniture, carpets and refurbished toilets.

“Out of potential disaster, there’s been some upside,” he adds, going on to discuss the winter promotion the hotel is introducing from November 1 in a bid to keep busy during the quieter period.

“We’ve been busy and there’s been lots going on which is great, but we’re trying to stay busy through winter,” he says.

“From November 1 our winter saver offer goes live, it’s available to book now and available until the end of March. We’re looking forward to seeing you and really looking forward to welcoming people back during the winter months. The spa is open too and all the other great facilities you’ve come to expect will be here.”

Reserving special mention for the hotel’s workers, he adds: “We’re very fortunate. You’ll have heard a lot about the crisis in the hospitality industry with staffing. Fortunately, at the Metropole, we’ve retained the wonderful team of staff we’ve had here, some of whom we’ve had here for many years, and we’re lucky to have those people.

“I must say how grateful I am to have them because they’ve worked incredibly hard through the summer.”

He signs off whimsically by adding: “Lots of people have commented on my videos. They started as a bit of fun. If you enjoy them, that’s great. If you think ‘who’s this twit rambling on about his hotel’, it’s not the end of the world, just don’t watch them’.

“It’s nice to keep in touch and it’s nice to hear back from people. Thanks for your support through summer and we hope we’ll see you during the winter months.”