THE Adelphi Hotel, in Liverpool, remains something of a curiosity. Up-to-date hotel review sites are still full of pithy comments about shoddy rooms and poor service, but the company accounts paint a very different picture, trumpeting improved facilities and service.

These days, fearsome former manager Eileen Downey has a regional role with Britannia, while her old sparring partner Brian Birchall is the man in charge of day-to-day affairs.

In the accounts for last year, the directors report that refurbishment and improved service have been necessary in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

The hotel had sales of £8.16m and pre-tax profits of £1.4m, both slightly down on the previous year.

The report states that Capital of Culture year should show a marked improvement on trade, although no-one was available yesterday to confirm whether that had been the case.

It goes on: “The strategy adopted during the year has been to upgrade the property to meet the challenges presented by an increasingly competitive market.

“The company aims to offer increasing levels of comfort and service while maintaining its highly-competitive prices and reputation for good value.

“The improved facilities and levels of service should allow the hotel to take best advantage of Capital of Culture year. Sales have fallen by 3.9%, but were constrained by the unavoidable disruption associated with refurbishment.

“Going forward, it is anticipated that profit will be enhanced as a result of the refurbishment work and the opportunities offered by Capital of Culture.

“The company has succeeded in controlling its operating costs in line with reduced turnover. It has achieved this despite the additional costs associated with upgrading this property.

“In order to sustain and enhance our position, we have endeavoured to improve standards.”

Despite these endeavours, a Holidaywatchdog website review in June stated: “This hotel needs investment to bring it up to current standards.”

BARRY TURNBULL