GUY Fawkes's reputation went up in flames 400 years ago, but his reputed birthplace is about to enjoy a new lease of life as a top-class gastro pub.
The Guy Fawkes Hotel in High Petergate, York, has been bought in a multi-million pound deal by the de Bretton Group from Kaye's Hotels. The new owners plan to rename it the Guy Fawkes Inn and install Jacobean-style oak-panelled walls that the Gunpowd
er Plotters would have recognised.
A cottage to the rear is said to be the birthplace of Fawkes, the man who came close to blowing up Parliament on November 5, 1605. He was baptised in St Martin-le-Belfrey church, directly opposite the hotel, in April 1570.
De Bretton managing director David Hattersley said Fawkes would have felt at home in the restyled property.
He added: "We have got the best location in the city to deliver this, combined with a building that says 'come on in'.
"My inspiration was Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in London's Fleet Street – pure class. It's historic, but approachable and comfortable. The Guy Fawkes Inn is widely viewed as a Georgian townhouse but it's much older than that. It's Queen Anne with Georgian DIY."
Eight chefs are being recruited to produce gastro-pub food. The inn will also have dark timber floors and York flagstones.
In the last 18 months the de Bretton Group has invested over £20m in York properties. Last year it acquired the 700-year-old Lendal Tower. Its other properties in the city include the four-star Marmadukes Hotel and Harvilles Restaurant.
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