Dad's Army: The hotel?
Plans for sitcom-themed accommodation
A hotel based around Dad’s Army could be built in the Norfolk market town where the classic sitcom was filmed.Thousands of fans already flock to Thetford every year, and locals believe a Forties-themed hotel and bar could further cash in on that popularity.
The town, which stood in for the fictional Walmington-on-Sea, already has a small museum dedicated to the series, and is planning a statue of Captain Mainwaring.
Thetford’s Anchor Hotel, which was featured in the first Dad's Army episode, currently stands empty, and museum officials have told the local council it could be converted into the new tourist attraction.
An estimated 5,000 people visited Thetford last weekend to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the show, after which organiser Corinne Fulford proposed the hotel idea to the local council
She told the Thetford and Brandon Times there was not enough accommodation in the town, adding: ‘I think it is a great idea to offer the people who come on our Dad's Army tours a Forties-themed environment.’
The celebrations were attended by actors Bill Pertwee, Ian Lavender and Colin Bean and co-writer David Croft could raise up to £20,000 for the Captain Mainwaring statue.
Published: 2 Aug 2008
