Goadsby Acquires Punshon Memorial Church - Leisure Sale - Bournemouth, Dorset

Date: 19 Sep 2008

Following three years of ongoing negotiation, the need for Charity Commission requirements to be met and ultimately considerable competition from developers and corporate hotel operators, Goadsby has acquired the Punshon Memorial Methodist Church and Church House for local hotelier, businessman and long standing client Philip Oram.

Directly facing Bournemouth International Centre and enjoying stunning views across Bournemouth Pier to the Isle of Wight, the site is arguably the most exciting mixed use hotel development opportunity on the south coast currently. It is proposed that the church will be demolished and replaced with a landmark building doing justice to the location whilst the Church House, locally listed for its fine architectural features, will be refurbished for either commercial or residential purposes - possibly both.

Divisional Director, Ian Palmer, commented "This is a truly fantastic site and, if maximised, will add greatly to Bournemouth's current offer. Having not been afforded the opportunity to act for the sellers, I was determined from the outset that Goadsby would be instrumental in concluding this deal. I am delighted that this proved to be the outcome".

"Furthermore, we are pleased to report that having since been instructed to remarket the church site, significant interest has already been expressed by hotel groups in all sectors from budget to full service. We are confident that terms will be agreed with a suitable operator in the near future".

Punshon Memorial Methodist Church