Dear Editor,

I was saddened to hear of the impending closure of The Chase Hotel. Ross will lose a vital amenity.

The Chase has played a key role in the evolution of Chronos Technology since we started using it regularly some 15 years ago. This last year, between staff and direct booking guests, we have used at least 250 beds. Some years it’s been many more.

For a start it’s a home-from-home for many of our staff. In this Internet enabled age, living close to one’s place of work is not a prerequisite. We have home-office staff who travel in, as and when required. They live as far away as places like Shannon in Ireland, Falmouth, Ipswich, Stratford-upon-Avon, Southport, Southampton and Southend-on-Sea. For them, the hospitality at the Chase and the friendly greeting when they check in will be a hard act to follow.

There is apparently a sort of room bingo competition with some of our staff having stayed in every bedroom. One past staffer was even presented with a bottle of champagne when he stayed for the last time after his notice period.

Then we have all our business visitors. We are based in the Forest of Dean and have many guests from far and wide who need to stay over - collaborators, suppliers and customers. For our overseas guests, particularly those from the USA, The Chase represents quintessential English elegance when compared to copy-and-paste, left-hand or right-hand rooms from some global hotel chain in a big city. When we host training and masterclass sessions for typically 12 delegates, it’s a base to gather in and enjoy the comfort and conviviality of the bar before dining either at The Chase or in Ross. Parking, which is a nightmare in Ross, and difficult at the best of times at other Ross hotels, is never a problem at The Chase, however large the group. The Chase always adds a professional wrap to their experience of visiting Chronos.

The Chase has also hosted us for big functions. Back in 2011 we celebrated 25 years in business with over 120 staff and guests enjoying a splendid evening in the function room. Our traveling staff, their partners and all our guests and their partners stayed at The Chase. Guests included senior engineers representing a broad cross-section of the UK Telecom industry from BT, Orange/EE, T-Mobile, O2 and Vodafone as well as professional colleagues and Academia. The Chase was the only hotel for many miles around that could offer a function room, beds and ambiance to accommodate us.

My grateful thanks also goes to Colin Parcell, who, as general manager, has run The Chase since shortly before we transferred our allegiances. My condition for using The Chase on a regular basis, agreed with Colin in my office, was that Colin would put a Guinness tap on the bar. He did! He also sorted out a spat when a house manager made a fuss about the lounge menu being served in the bar. This when we were entertaining important guests from a large corporate customer based in the USA. Needless to say, we had our way and Colin agreed to have a word after my phone call the following morning. Colin, I wish you well in your next assignment.

The Chase. A home-from-home for our staff, English elegance for our overseas guests, big functions, bar meals and Guinness. We will miss you. RIP.

Charles Curry

Founder and Managing Director

Chronos Technology Ltd