THE Three Counties Hotel in Hereford faces could be demolished after Lidl submitted plans to demolish the site and replace it with a supermarket, but people of Herefordshire have shared fond memories of the hotel.

Frank Tadd appeared to be a popular and recognised man.

He built the building where the Three Counties Hotel now stands and had a reputation in the night life economy.

His nephew Norman Preece shared that Mr Tadd was a chef at the Spread Eagle and owned Wallers Farm.

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Hereford Times: Hereford Mayor Basil Baldwin (right) and SHDC chairman Sid Williams officially open the new wing, watched by manager John Lewis and his wife Anne in 1989Hereford Mayor Basil Baldwin (right) and SHDC chairman Sid Williams officially open the new wing, watched by manager John Lewis and his wife Anne in 1989

He also mentioned that Betty Harding was an expert on silver service at the hotel as well as her husband Jim Harding, who was ex-mayor.

Mr Tadd’s other nephew Ian Chadwick also mentioned his uncle’s claim to fame.

It was called the White Eagle after he sold the Spread Eagle, which was Hereford’s best steak bar at the time, he said.

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Sally Harris said: “My mum worked for Frank when he had the spread Eagle in King Street before joining him at The White Eagle.”

David John Cox looked back when it first opened its doors: “He went there opening night, the bear had oil in our pints, so landlord gave us free pint, at least three to four each.”

Hereford Times: Three Counties Hotel: Sutdent Hayley Cleeton, 17, took over as Moat House receptionist in 1986 Three Counties Hotel: Sutdent Hayley Cleeton, 17, took over as Moat House receptionist in 1986

Val Edmunds spent many great times at the hotel and would not like to see it replaced with the supermarket: “We always said we never had a bad meal here.

“It would be disastrous if it was turned into Lidl or any other supermarket.”

Andrew Boucher saw the hotel being built when he was a young boy in the late 70s when it was known as the Moat House.

“I have performed many shows there over the years,” he said.

“My oldest mate Darren Brown was head chef there in the late 80s and my nan also worked there at the same time in the kitchen.

Hereford Times: Three Counties Hotel: Moat House dining room in 1992 Three Counties Hotel: Moat House dining room in 1992

“The pair used to get on like a house on fire.”

Phil Childs remembered his days as a student using the hotel as a lunchtime hang out in the mid-60s.

“Great days of our youth,” he said.

Hereford Times: Richard Varney, Moat House general manager 1993 Richard Varney, Moat House general manager 1993

Julie Breen worked there for eight years in the late 80s and 90s when it was the Moat House.

“I have some wonderful memories of working there including some very funny staff parties,” she said.

Hereford Times: Moat House reception 1989 Moat House reception 1989

“The staff we have then got on great and we all socialised together out of work, we met celebrities along the way like David Essex, Chesney Hawkes, Ian Botham, and David Gower just to mention a few.

“Great days and I am very sad to see the building go.”