Thomas Paine Hotel
Independent, family run, Boutique Hotel, Thomas Paine Hotel in Thetford, Norfolk, is set to solidify its position as a number one destination, fulfilling its extension plans thanks to a Recovery Loan from Let’s Do Business Finance.
The Thomas Paine hotel is a uniquely styled boutique hotel, offering 8 bedrooms, and a two bedroom family room alongside an onsite restaurant and function space in a Grade II listed building. The only independent hotel locally offering function space, it is full of character and already a favourite in the area, having appeared in Channel 4’s Four In A Bed series, and awarded Norfolk’s Boutique Hotel of the Year at the Prestige Awards 2022. It's popularity is further reinforced by its connection to free thinker Thomas Paine. As his birthplace, the hotel has links to the history and creation of the American Constitution.
Experienced hotelier and businessman Gez Chetal took ownership of the Thomas Paine Hotel in 2012. Having worked for companies such as Trust House Forte, The Waldorf, and Butterfly Hotels, and being a fundamental member of the local business community through his other ventures, Gez recognised the potential of the space and was confident that he understood the needs and wants of the area, and set his sights on fulfilling them. This mission is emphasized by his slogan “Large enough to deliver, small enough to care.”
The COVID years were tough for all, including The Thomas Paine Hotel. Forced closures meant some tough decisions for the management, however it provided the opportunity to help the local community, as Gez opened up the hotel to help house the homeless and vulnerable. Operations then became very much a family affair, with staff reduced down to 4 full time and 3 part time, with Gez managing, his wife Rosie stepping into a head chef position and even their daughter getting involved. Whilst some might see this as worrying, Gez embraced it as a way to give the hotel a real family atmosphere, something that since has only increased demand.
To keep up with demand for his offering, Gez made plans to expand the hotel, and approached Let’s Do Business Finance to see what funding might be available.
“I’ve always been a person that would look five years ahead. I was turning down weddings because I could only hold 50 maximum and I was getting requests 70/80, along with lots and lots of Christmas parties with big numbers and I just couldn’t do them”
“I believe in what goes around comes as that, you know, I've always been there to help everybody”
Gez Chetal, Owner, Thomas Paine Hotel
Already having refurbished large parts of the hotel since taking over, the next step was to add an extension onto the existing hotel building. This would provide Gez an extra 30-40 covers for his restaurant and function room, along with 2 additional bedrooms, helping to alleviate his barriers to growth and increase profitability for the hotel.
As an accredited provider, on behalf of British Business Bank, Let’s Do Business Finance were able to lend The Thomas Paine Hotel £150,000 through the government backed Recovery Loan Scheme. The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) supports access to finance for UK businesses as they recover and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic. Providing loans of up to £10million over a maximum of 6 years, loans can be used for a wide range of purposes including managing cash flow, investment and growth.
“The whole process was really good, you know, was a pressure off my shoulders. “It’s much easier as a small business to deal with a small business. It was so easy to speak to my Business Advisor Dave Watson. I could call or email and he would get right back to me. It is a far cry from dealing with my high street bank.”
Regardless of its desires to expand, The Thomas Paine Hotel will always take pride in its roots. The hotel has a strong community feel, and it wants to continue that as it grows, being supported by the local business community and local authorities. The restaurant prides itself on using fresh, local produce, and Gez also plans to create a museum corridor in the hotel, showcasing items relating to it’s namesake.
The extension is all set for its grand opening on November 29th, and will be hosted by General Lord Dannatt, who is the Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk to the Queen, and Henry Bellingham who was Norfolk's MP for over 30 years. Looking ahead to the future Gez plans to simply focus on making The Thomas Paine hotel the best it can be.
“I want to be the best. I want my hotel to be the one with the best reputation that is a destination place to go to. A hub that anyone whose anyone will simply have to visit.”