By Sophie Swain Stand Up For Southport
Caroline Grogan from The Adelphi Guest House in Southport is celebrating 25 years in business this year.
The Guest House is a four-star hotel located on Bold Street, between the Lord Street boulevard and the Promenade in the centre, the perfect place for those visiting the town.
When Caroline bought the guest house, she tirelessly built it up from a two-star hotel to what it is today.
Twenty-five years on Caroline still enjoys every single bit of owning the business, with most guests becoming friends and extended family over the years.
She said: “The job is relaxing for me because I get to be myself.
“I’ll sit with the guests, have a cuppa, make them breakfast. Everyone who visits is like my friends and family.”
A self-professed ‘natural with people,’ nothing is too much for Caroline. She enjoys making people feel special and happy.
She said: “I enjoy my job and I think that shines through to people. I enjoy making people feel happy and remembering everyone who walks through the door is the best part.”
Through owning the Adelphi and getting to know each guest, Caroline has even found a long-distance relative from Australia and reunited with an old school friend.
Now, her regular guests often buy her Christmas presents, and she always wishes each one a happy birthday.
One guest has been staying for around 22 years, during every Southport Flower Show. They always bring Caroline a gift back.
Visitors include people from all over the world, including America and New Zealand.
Caroline thinks it is their love of Southport which always attracts them to return.
She said: “You can do everything here. There’s the Promenade, the town, restaurants, independent shops. There’s always something to do.
“It’s a good place for a relaxing weekend away and even a good base for walkers, with amazing train connections.”
Caroline’s mum and dad were originally from Southport, which is why she took on the Adelphi Guest House in the first place. She prides its success on the ‘homely’ and inviting atmosphere.
She said: “A lot of single people come here because it’s safe.
“It’s a really homely atmosphere so people feel relaxed. They can go in the lounge, have a drink, watch TV and it’s not far if they want a wander around the town.”
Despite running a successful business for 25 years, it hasn’t come without its challenges. Caroline is the only person who runs it – cleaning the rooms, making food, checking people in.
She said: “There’s good and bad days and it is a lot of hard work but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
“People say they’ll be carrying me out of here in a coffin!”
To find out more about what the Adelphi Guest House has to offer you can visit the website: https://www.adelphisouthport.co.uk/
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