A
proposal for development of new facilities for the benefit of the
members of
The Otterburn Society
to be know as:
“The Lodge at The Tower, Otterburn, England"
Prepared by: The Director of Communications and
Public Affairs,
26 May 2003
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Introduction
The
committee of the Otterburn Society is required by a founding resolution
of its members, to… “Make prudent investment of the assets of the society for the benefit
of the Members and the perpetuation of the beliefs and interests of the
Members.”
In
addition to the financial returns created by the prudent investment of
the Treasurer, it had been
originally envisaged that members would be able to enjoy the private
facilities of club in
A
comprehensive review of potentially suitable locations for a
“retreat” for members has recently been carried out.
This review has included an assessment of the hills of
It
has been concluded that none of the above compare with the
A
suitable location in the village has been found.
This proposal is the committee’s recommendation.
Please give it your careful consideration and support.
-
An
The
members of the Otterburn Society have for many years enjoyed the
facilities of the
These
buildings have remained unoccupied for many years now.
Herein lies an exciting opportunity.
The
Tower and the Percy both provide high quality accommodation and dining.
The proposal is to create a healthy market for visitors to the
The new facility is to be created in these buildings to the east of the Tower. The new facility is to be known as:
“The Lodge at
the Tower, Otterburn
Northumberland”.
The
Lodge is to become the North of England’s premier retreat for
gentlemen. In the tradition
of the Otterburn Society, The
Lodge will be an oasis where a man will be able to indulge in all that
is good in life. Fine
cigars, from Barbers of Otley,
Other
facilities will include a Turkish bath and a billiards room.
The main feature will be the reading room.
With a library at the east end,
stocked with a range of works by Oscar Wild and Burns and a large
wood burning fire, in the
style of that of the Green room, suitable
for sitting around for a yarn, at the West.
There will be separate cigar store and an office for the safe custody of the Archives. The Otterburn Society will also be administered from this office.
Fig 1
Plan of The Lodge at Otterburn
Gentlemen
will be invited to use the facilities of the Lodge.
Additional services such as Turkish massage and vocal
entertainment will be sourced from the
Special
arrangements for accommodation and dining will be made with the Tower
and the Percy. Guests will
be able to join their wives or girlfriends for dinner and bed after
having enjoyed the facilities of The Lodge during the day.
Facilities
for ladies at The Lodge, will
not be available.
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Funding
Initial
capital costs of refurbishment and set up will be met from a £100,000
donation from an overseas organization and a small bank loan.
The
following costs will be incurred.
1
Capital
costs
Lease
of the Buildings. £ 10, 000
A fifty year lease will be negotiated with the Owner.
As the buildings have remained unoccupied for so many years and
in light of the advantage of the income likely to result from the use of
the buildings, this is the
maximum anticipated payment.
Planning
permission £ 4,500,
Professional fees
Turkish bath £ 15,000 Installation of tiling benches and heating system.
Reading
room
£ 15,000
Reference documents, furniture
Office £ 20,000 Furniture and electronic equipment.
Cigar store £ 5,000 Shelving and humidor.
Stocks
£ 15,000
Consultant
fees re
overseas investment
£20,600
A “facilitating payment” of £10,000 will be required to
secure the investment from the overseas organization. It
will be necessary for this payment to be made in cash, net of tax.
The above amount represents the gross amount, before tax.
Refer to presentations at Otterburn XX for basis of calculation.
Total
capital costs
£ 105,100
2
Operating
income and expenditure
Operating
income from guests will provide operating costs and profit.
Annual
Income will be obtained from,
Payments
for use of facilities & membership fees,
Commissions
on organised events such as shooting parties,
Commissions
from the Tower and the Percy relating to accommodation.
Annual
income is expected to be in excess of
£ 200,000
Annual
operating costs are estimated below:
PA
to the Director of communications and public affairs £ 22,000
Researcher £ 19,000
Directors
fees £ 50,000
Travel
and entertaining £ 10,000
Marketing
- Web site maintenance & advertising
£ 5,000
Printing
postage & stationary £
3,000
Rent
and rates £
5,000
Heating
and power
£ 8,000
Telephone
and communications
£ 5,000
Other
services, obtained locally
£ 5,000
Cigars,
and refreshments
£ 45,000
Total annual expenditure £177,000
Profit to be transferred to society
reserves
£
23,000
As
usual, surplus funds will be transferred to the Society’s “Cigar
trust” in
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Recommendation
The
following resolution will be proposed at Otterburn XXII for approval of
the members.
“It is resolved that the Director of Communications and Public Affairs of the Otterburn Society (DCPA) is hereby authorised to use the funds of the society to make whatever payments he considers appropriate in relation to the “Lodge at the Tower” project generally as described in the Otterburn Society Journal of 2003. The members of the Society jointly and severally stand as guarantors for any payments made or agreed, for whatever purpose, authorised by the DCPA in relation to this and other projects and furthermore, indemnify the DCPA against any and all claims that may be made against him or the Society in any jurisdiction”
I
commend the proposal to the Society. Please support this motion at
Otterburn XXII.
Director of Communications and Public Affairs, The Otterburn Society 26 May 03