Stripping back the years

Every renovation has that moment.

The one where the dust is everywhere, cables snake across the floor like they own the place, and you briefly wonder if you’ve made a terrible mistake.

This is us, right now, at The Chace Hotel in Coventry (formerly the Iliffe) – right at the beginning of our renovation and refurbishment journey.

As we start stripping back decades of shoddy alterations and poorly thought-through “improvements”, the building is slowly beginning to breathe again. Suspended ceilings are coming down, awkward partitions are disappearing, and with every layer removed, we’re learning more about what this place used to be.

And then… the good stuff starts to appear.

Hidden above years of cover-ups, we uncovered the original ceiling in the old pub area of the building. Proper craftsmanship. Character. A reminder that this space was once designed to be enjoyed, not just endured. It’s bruised, battered, and very much a work in progress – but it’s also a little bit magical.

This space will become a stand-alone British brasserie.

A place for all and sundry.

Quiet mid-morning coffee? You’re welcome.

A long, raucous Sunday lunch? Pull up a chair.

Beers with friends? Absolutely.

Bubbly because it’s Tuesday? We won’t judge.

Coventry – and this part of the city in particular – has seen a steady decline in pubs and proper places to meet, eat, drink, and linger. We think it’s time that changed. This brasserie is about bringing people back together again, in a space that feels warm, welcoming, and unmistakably British.

Right now, it’s messy. Very messy.

The photos show the uncovered ceiling alongside the chaos that comes with early-stage works – trailing wires, temporary lighting, dust everywhere. But beneath the rubble is the soul of the room, and we’re determined to do it justice.

This is just the beginning.

We can’t wait to show you what comes next.