Hostel Management Ltd discovers:Journeys Hostels operate hostel without a planning permission

May 30, 2011 - PRLog -- Preparing  for pending court case with Journeys Hostels , Hostel Management Ltd investigators and legal team have discovered that Journeys Hostels property known as ''Journeys London Bridge'' has been converted into a hostel without a necessary planning permission from local authorities.Although converted without a planning permission , Journeys London Bridge has been advertised as a fully equipped youth hostel on various booking websites and rented to the third party  under a management contract since October 2009.
Southwark Council Planning department inspectors have visited the property at the beginning of May 2011 and found out that Journeys Hostels needed, but never applied for a planning permission.The property's landlord -  Pub Company Admiral Taverns have been informed that the conversion of their Public house had been carried out and are investigating the situation.
Moreover , Hostel Management Ltd investigators have found out that the lease Journeys Hostels have signed for this property was in the name of a subsidiary Journeys Inns Ltd that has dissolved in February 2010.
Journeys London Bridge has been described as a flagship and showcase of Journeys franchise program. Journeys directors Dean D' Eye and Derek Bodman have given a number of statements describing Journeys London Bridge as a  fine example of Journeys operation. Here is an example from Humberbusiness.com ...

QUOTE:

''Derek Bodman, managing director of Journeys, said: "When we first converted the London Bridge property into a hostel we knew the time was right and the second year figures from that property show just how right it was.

"The property was almost worthless when we took it on, but in its second year of trading has turned over £630,000, with a profit of £221,000.

"The other properties are doing just as well and we're now looking for a rapid expansion."
END OF QUOTE.

Hostel Management Ltd and Journeys Hostels are locked in a dispute over Journeys Kings Cross in Caledonian Road.The case will be heard at Woolwich County Court.
Further press releases will be issued.