Motel graced by stars to shut later this month

15 hours ago

David SpereallYorkshire

The Redbeck Motel opened in Crofton, Wakefield, in 1969

Google The front of the Redbeck Motel, as indicated by a blue and white sign in its car park. The sign plugs its food offering and features contact details. Two cars are parked outside the hotel, which is a relatively small two-storey building. — The Redbeck Motel opened in Crofton, Wakefield, in 1969

A famous motel once graced by Sir Tom Jones and Diana Ross will shut later this month.

The Redbeck Motel, in Wakefield, was a popular haunt for celebrities in the 1970s and 1980s, but plans to demolish it and build 90 homes on the site were approved at the end of last year.

In a Facebook post, managing director Peter Worth JP said the hotel, in Crofton, would shut for good at 18:00 GMT on Sunday 22 February.

He said that the venue, which was also famous for its breakfast specials, had had "so many wonderful customers that have supported us day after day".

The Redbeck, which opened in 1969, was described as a "cultural icon" of Wakefield by residents who unsuccessfully objected to the plans to knock it down.

Dame Shirley Bassey, Danny La Rue and The Three Degrees were also among the acts to have stayed at the hotel in its heyday, while it has also featured on Emmerdale and other TV dramas.

Dame Shirley Bassey is among the stars to have stayed at the motel in its heyday

Getty Images The singer Dame Shirley Bassey, pictured in the 1980s. She is wearing a sparkly red dress and lying on a large pile made up of bars of gold. — Dame Shirley Bassey is among the stars to have stayed at the motel in its heyday

But when plans for demolition were produced in 2024, the hotel was described as having become "unviable".

Mr Worth, who said it had been an "honour and privilege" added that the hotel would be "missed by many".

He said: "No matter what time or day the Redbeck was always open and for that I feel very proud that we could provide that unique service for the people of Wakefield.

"But this time has come and we all need to move on but we will not be forgotten, I am sure this will be the same for many of our fantastic customers."

Developers Yorkshire Choice Homes have pledged to devise a social history of the hotel which could include the memories of visitors, staff and the community.

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