The Vincent

It is a big step, some might even say a quantum leap, to go from operating a successful local brasserie to opening a 60 bedroom destination hotel. But this is exactly what entrepreneur and north west operator Paul Adams has done with his latest venture The Vincent.
£15 million has been spent on building the brand new hotel, which occupies a prime spot on Southport’s main boulevard overlooking picturesque gardens and Victorian parade of shops, and the sea beyond.

Opening a hotel is something of a lifelong ambition for Adams, who started his career in the hospitality industry, working at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool as a teenager, before going on to open his first venue, a nightclub, at just eighteen years old. From here the entrepreneur continued his early success, opening further bar, café, and restaurant projects in and around the north, the most recent being the renowned Warehouse Brasserie in Southport.

“I started my career in hotels and have worked in the leisure industry ever since,” says Adams. “Opening my own hotel has been something I have always wanted to do and I felt that Southport really deserved a great hotel so when the site came up I jumped at it.”

The Vincent stands on the spot formerly occupied by Southport’s old cinema, which was demolished before embarking on an entirely new build for the hotel. Keen to not only provide accommodation for visitors, but also give something back to the area, the innovative hotel concept has been designed around a deli-cum-brasserie which provides the main focus for the operation and serves as the in-house restaurant or as a standalone eatery for locals.

Adams explains: “The café-deli is the heartbeat of the hotel. I have stayed in too many hotels where, although the bedrooms may be great and the staff are professional, the service is stiff and the restaurants are soulless and depressing. Even in famous, high-end hotels, you go into the hotel restaurant on a week night and it’s half empty. No matter how great the hotel most people will go out to eat in the evening as they want to experience the area. We really wanted to create an atmospheric restaurant, somewhere residents and outside guests can feel relaxed and enjoy dining.” 

And if it is buzz and atmosphere that guests are looking for, then The Vincent café-deli has it in spades. For many locals the restaurant has already become the favourite neighbourhood eatery, and during our mid-week visit for dinner the restaurant was alive with regulars as well as hotel guests and a few famous faces (the area is popular with footballers). Food is local British grub with a modern twist, with Head Chef Mac Verite’s passion for fresh, seasonal produce permeating every aspect of the menu. The hotel itself comprises a collection of modern bedrooms set over six floors, with the penthouse, spa and gym occupying the top floor. This level also houses the golf simulator room, which has been introduced to cater for the huge number of visitors who travel to the area to play on of the many premier golf courses on what is becoming known as ‘England’s Golf Coast’.

Explain designers Design LSM: “The Vincent redefines the concept of a cool English seaside hotel, with 60 beautifully decorated guest studios, residences and penthouse. The guest rooms at The Vincent are deliciously comfortable, cool spaces with stylish beige and timber contemporary finishes. Back on the ground floor, the McGee bar is dedicated to the work of famous photographer, and friend of Adams’, Tony McGee, and his striking black and white images of celebrities are displayed gallery-style across the walls. Quite the glamorous little drinking den, Design LSM has used a palette of black and gold, along with well placed mirrors and amber lighting, to create a classy and cool Resident’s Lounge, which also functions as a VIP bar for outside customers. 

As with the restaurant, owner Adams was keen to create an individual experience in the rest of the hotel and cites Firmdale, in particular with their Haymarket Hotel, as a great inspiration. “I love the idea that you can come across something different in the hotel each time you visit,” the operator explains. “Too many hotels you feel as if you could be staying anywhere and we wanted The Vincent to have its own very unique character.” As such quirky and personal touches are scattered throughout, from the disarmingly friendly and warm reception from the staff as guests enter, to the titillating Parlour Boxes for adults and the Berocca in the mini bar, as well as design statements like the Kalashnikov lamp in reception, and feature collection of teapot lights hanging in the restaurant.

With so much to amuse and entertain the guest, as well as impeccable food, drink, and service standards, Adams may well have achieved his goal in giving his customers a stay they are sure to remember and an experience that is undeniably “Vincent’.

THE VINCENT
98 Lord Street
Southport, PR8 1JR
Tel: 01704 883 830
www.thevincenthotel.com

Rooms:    60 guestrooms
Food:    V-Deli
Drink:    V-Spa / V-Gym
Leisure:    Meeting & Event Spaces

WORDS BY CAROLINE SHAW   

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE VINCENT