Video: Signature Living boss bitten by dog on hotel development site

25 April 2018 by
Video: Signature Living boss bitten by dog on hotel development site

The boss of hotel firm Signature Living has been bitten by a pensioner's dog as he was filming a video explaining why he'd like his firm to be the one to develop a derelict building into a hotel.

Lawrence Kenwright was filming at the site of the abandoned North Wales Hospital (known locally as the Denbigh Asylum).

As he attempted to explain why his firm, one of two companies bidding to develop the site, should be the one to take the project on, he was approached by the man, reported by the Liverpool Echo to be 81-year-old Elwyn Pierce.

Pierce told Kenwright and the men with him that he shouldn't be in the property and asked who gave them permission to be there.

Kenwright replied that he had permission from Denbigh County Council and told Pierce several times "don't be aggressive".

The altercation culminated in Pierce letting his dog out of his car. Despite the fact that Pierce held the Alsatian by its collar, it bit Kenwright on the finger.

The video, originally shared by the Denbigh Matters Facebook group, has been viewed hundreds of times.

Kenwright was reported to have made a complaint against Pierce following the incident.

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: "We received a call at 11.12am on Wednesday. An individual made an allegation that a dog at the site had bitten him."

However, yesterday afternoon, Denbighshire County Council's cabinet decided on Jones Bros, in conjunction with the North Wales Building Preservation Trust (NWBPT), as the preferred developer of the site.

Kenwright said: "I feel it is a sad day for Denbigh, they have lost an amazing opportunity to give 450 jobs to the local community and bring a huge amount of tourism to an area that desperately needs a catalyst to bring it back to its former glory."

Signature Living's Harris hotel to open as second Shankly hotel >>

Signature Living reveals plans to convert derelict asylum into hotel >>

Signature Living chair slams ‘corrupt council' following restaurant closure >>

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