Legionnaires’ risk sees Wolverhampton's Ramada hotel shut to overnight guests
Functions are still going ahead but bedrooms are closed after Legionella bacteria was discovered.
A Wolverhampton hotel has been closed to overnight guests after Legionella bacteria was found.
The city council has taken action against the Ramada Park Hall after the bacteria, which can cause the potentially deadly Legionnaires' disease, was found in the water management system.
Health officials say they are not aware of any Legionnaires' cases.
Bosses at the Goldthorn Park hotel said it would remain open for pre-arranged functions and events but that the bedrooms would be closed to guests for around two to three weeks.
The popular hotel, which recently hosted an event where singing star Beverley Knight was given freedom of the city, was served with a prohibition notice by the council banning it from using hot and cold water systems until the problem is addressed.
Officials said they had consulted with experts before taking the decision in the interests of public safety.
Councillor Steve Evans, the council's environment boss, said: “The health and safety of our residents and visitors is a key priority for the council and our Environmental Health team who regularly carry out inspections at premises across the city.
“After careful consideration, we made the decision to serve notice to formally prohibit the use of the hot and cold water systems at the Ramada Park Hall Hotel due to issues with its water management system.
“Although Legionnaires’ disease is rare and we are not currently aware of any cases in this instance, it’s important that we take the right precautions to prevent the risk of anyone falling ill.
“The council will now follow the legal process and work closely with the business to ensure the necessary works have been carried out and there is no longer a risk to public health.
"The council is keen for the hotel to re-open once the risk has been addressed.”
The hotel, which was once owned by businessman Ranjit Singh Power who went missing in India and is presumed dead, is well known in Wolverhampton.
Managers said they were determined to complete the necessary works as soon as possible.
A hotel spokesman said: "The Ramada Park Hall and Spa hotel has identified an issue with the use of hot and cold water supply systems which means we cannot use hot and cold water until further evaluations are undertaken and any potential risk or inconvenience to any of our guests is minimised.
"Accordingly, to enable appropriate measures to be implemented, the hotel bedrooms will be temporarily closed to the public for we envisage a period of two to three weeks.
"However, please be aware that in the case of pre-arranged events and functions, these will continue to take place as normal as the hotel has put in place contingency measures to ensure that any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum.
"We would like to convey our profound apologies to our guests for any inconvenience or disruption caused during this remedial period."
