Jane Austen fans have donned period costumes as they protest plans to transform the hotel where she spent her 18th birthday into student accommodation.
Fans of the romance novelist have rallied together to object to the plans to change the Grade-II listed Dolphin Hotel in Southampton.
The 500-year-old Dolphin, which is described as a ‘jewel’ with a ‘rich history’, was regularly frequented by the Sense and Sensibility author.
In Austen’s writings, she referenced an ‘amusing’ ball she attended at the Dolphin and a plaque outside the building shows she celebrated her 18th birthday there on December 16, 1793.
The historic hotel had other famous guests including Queen Victoria, Admiral Lord Nelson and William Shakespeare’s theatre company.
Last month, the owner of the Southampton hotel lodged a change of use application which if successful, would see the Dolphin transformed into student accommodation.
Nicky Chapman, Cheryl Butler, Eliot Horn, Norma Mackie and Jason Butler outside The Dolphin Hotel, Southampton, as they protest plans to change the hotel into student accommodation
Fans of the celebrated author have donned period costumes to protest the plans
A plaque commemorating Jane Austen can be seen at the site in Southampton
Jane Austen regularly frequented the hotel and had her 18th birthday party at the venue
Upon learning this news, devastated Austen fans have begged the council to consider the ‘cultural importance’ of the building – which is the only remaining structure in Southampton with connections to the author.
The Dolphin, which is rumoured to be haunted by six resident ghosts, is the oldest hotel in the port city with records dating back to 1454.
Under the new proposals, all 99 rooms will be transformed into student dwellings.
Austen fan Norma Mackey said when she first heard of the proposed development she ‘nearly cried’.
‘I did, I’m so passionate about this. As soon as I found out about it I contacted our theatre group so they knew what to do…objection, objection, objection.’
The retired health service worker, 69, said she ‘objects strongly’ to the change of use application and said all the history and architecture of the building will be ‘lost’ on the students staying there.
‘I think they have shot themselves in the foot because they will lose a gem,’ she added.
‘If it goes Southampton has lost quite a lot of its heritage. It’s disrespectful to the architect that designed it.’
Nicky Chapman, Cheryl Butler, Eliot Horn, Norma Mackie and Jason Butler (pictured)
Cheryl Butler (pictured) in an orange period frock outside The Dolphin Hotel
Nicky Chapman (pictured) in a green period frock stood outside The Dolphin Hotel
Ms Mackey said the hotel is ‘a jewel in Southampton’s crown’ and on the planning portal begged those considering the proposal to ‘let people who take history seriously’ enjoy the building.
Discussing the ball room, Ms Mackey said it’s ‘just a nice feeling to know that she’s been here’.
‘And I just love the architecture of the building as well,’ she added.
The Southampton resident is part of the Sarah Siddons Fan Club which is a historical re-enactment theatre company named after Austen’s favourite actress.
The group – which was set up by Cheryl Butler in 1985 – regularly take tourists to the hotel as it is the only remaining building in the port city that was stayed in by the author.
‘The building dates back to the medieval period and it’s amongst the most prominent in town,’ Ms Butler said.
‘Many important people have stayed there.’
The historian and honorary fellow at the University of Winchester said Shakespeare’s theatre company, Jacques Francis and Lord Nelson are all among the hotels’ previous guests.
‘And of course, it’s of an interest to the Jane Austen community,’ she continued.
In Austen’s writings, she referenced an ‘amusing’ ball she attended at the Dolphin
Nicky Chapman, Cheryl Butler, Eliot Horn, Norma Mackie and Jason Butler outside The Dolphin Hotel
The hotel has been described as a ‘jewel’ with a ‘rich history’, spanning 500 years
The Pride and Prejudice author celebrated her 18th birthday in the hotel on December 16 1793, according to a plaque outside.
‘According to Jane’s letters, she attended two other dances at the Dolphin ballroom, a beautiful bow-windowed room on the first floor,’ it read.
In her writings, the author spoke of visiting the hotel. She wrote: ‘Our ball was rather more amusing than I expected.
‘The room was tolerably full, and there were, perhaps, thirty couple of dancers. It was the same room in which we danced fifteen years ago. ‘
Ms Butler said Austen spent ‘quite important periods of her life’ in Southampton which were ‘critical times in her development of a writer’.
She said a lot of people, both fans and local historians, are ‘really upset’ about the plans to transform the hotel.
‘I just find it strange that someone would pick on that building and think it would be a good building,’ she added.
‘There are many building in this town that have been given over to student accommodation.
‘It’s not as if this is the only building that could be used.’
And, it is not just local Austen fans who have been outraged by the news.
Jennifer Weinbrecht, who owns the Jane Austen Book store in Novelty, Ohio, USA, also wrote on the Southampton portal on behalf of the ‘international community of Jane Austen fans and scholars’.
‘I request that you consider the cultural importance of the Dolphin Inn as the only remaining structure in Southampton with Jane Austen connections,’ the 67 year old said.
Eliot Horn (pictured) dressed in a red suit and hat outside The Dolphin Hotel, Southampton
Norma Mackie pictured in a purple frock and matching fan outside The Dolphin Hotel
‘As we approach next year’s 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, many of our customers and friends are making trips to the UK to visit Jane Austen sites.’
Ms Weinbrecht said Southampton is an important location on the ‘extended Austen pilgrimage’.
The Sarah Siddons Fan Club said they will be holding a number of events next year to celebrate the anniversary and they were hoping to hold an event in the Jane Austen suite, in the hotel.
The application is currently being considered by Southampton City Council’s planning department.
The hotel underwent a £4 million redevelopment programme in 2010 which saw it reopened as a Mercure and more recently, the building became used exclusively for asylum seekers.
A heritage statement said student accommodation was considered the most suitable alternative option due to the minimal changes required to the listed building, with a demand for this housing in the city.
A letter submitted on behalf of the applicant by real estate company, Savills, said the plans will ‘enable a long-term viable use of this important and prominent building’.