Surely Barry Chuckle is having a laugh in the mail when he says about the Staincliffe:

"I want this place to be a flagship, somewhere the people of Hartlepool can be proud of.

My vision is to make the new Staincliffe one of the best boutique hotels in the North-East."

And then is naming the bar and restaurant the canoe bar and Darwin restaurant respectively

Why would Hartlepool be proud of somewhere named after a convicted fraudster? I can just imagine the blinged up young professionals of darras hall etc rushing to go somewhere called the canoe bar - why not have done with it and call it the wonky donkey - boutique hotel my ar£e

It's nothing to do with the Mail big-upping the place cos they think he's gonna pay for a load of advertising with them.

I booked a couple of friends (non pools fans) into the staincliffe when we played leeds at home in April. It cost £70 for a twin room which if I describe as basic and the food poor, would be an understatement. It was embarrassing and I wont be putting any further business there way.

apparently the Grand is half decent these days

I used to stay at the Grand a lot, it's safe staggering distance from most places where everyone goes, and it wasn't too bad. Few creaky floorboards and there was always a vague scent of cabbage about the place but the staff were decent and friendly, you got to park free at the Wesley, Sky telly, all night bar with the night porter if you wanted, cheap enough and the breakfast was pretty good.

I also got to meet Headlander there afer a night match once and had a couple of pints with him. Mind he never knew who I was.......

Tart!

I had a good night with the Chinese ambassador and his wife last night. He can throw a good party. How did the party go there?

Surely Barry Chuckle is having a laugh in the mail when he says about the Staincliffe:

"I want this place to be a flagship, somewhere the people of Hartlepool can be proud of.

My vision is to make the new Staincliffe one of the best boutique hotels in the North-East."

And then is naming the bar and restaurant the canoe bar and Darwin restaurant respectively

Why would Hartlepool be proud of somewhere named after a convicted fraudster? I can just imagine the blinged up young professionals of darras hall etc rushing to go somewhere called the canoe bar - why not have done with it and call it the wonky donkey - boutique hotel my ar£e

Totally agree that no one should give the Staincliff any business - think what he has done reflects badly on the town - why not name it after someone who has given the town a poisitive image!

Hmm ... The Hartlepool Mail has a certain ring about it.

Twaat!!

Yeah, top notch, I described it somewhere else. I'd get pally with the ambass if I was you, you might get an invitation to the next Foreign Correspondents do in Beijing. That's a cracking party by all accounts.