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Guest at Grand Burstin, Folkestone, finds mould in shampoo dispenser

16:12, 27 November 2023

updated: 16:16, 27 November 2023

A hotel guest has expressed his disgust after finding “furry” mould in a shampoo dispenser.

Brent Brookland made the grim discovery in the bathroom while staying at the Grand Burstin in Folkestone over the weekend.

Ben Brookland was horrified to discover mould in a shampoo dispenser at the Grand Burstin, Folkestone
Ben Brookland was horrified to discover mould in a shampoo dispenser at the Grand Burstin, Folkestone

He also shared a video of the fire alarm going off at 6am this morning, dashing his hopes of a lie-in.

Mr Brookland told KentOnline he will not be returning to the seafront venue, which is run by Britannia Hotels – ranked as the UK’s worst operator 10 years in a row.

He had been staying in a “sea view” room at the Burstin with his partner.

“I walked into the bathroom and I could see the mould from outside,” Mr Brookland said.

“It was two different colours when it is supposed to be just blue shower wash.

Mould in shampoo in the Grand Burstin, Folkestone. Mr Brookland shared images with KentOnline showing the mould. Picture: Ben Brookland
Mould in shampoo in the Grand Burstin, Folkestone. Mr Brookland shared images with KentOnline showing the mould. Picture: Ben Brookland

“When I opened the top and looked in, the mould was obvious. It wasn’t like it was two shampoos together that hadn’t mixed – it was furry!

“Clearly guests are required to bring their own shampoo!

“I didn’t even raise it with the staff because I was so eager to get out of there. I certainly won’t be going back.”

Mr Brookland’s bad experience was compounded when the fire alarm started blaring at 6am.

Luckily it was a false alarm, but he added in a post on social media that his hopes for a lie-in on his day off work had been scuppered.

The Burstin has hit the headlines on many occasions since it opened in 1984 – including in November last year after a coach driver and holidaymaker were injured by falling masonry.

Members of the coach party caught up in the drama described the accommodation as "a dump" and said they just wanted to go home.

However, some residents leapt to the defence of the hotel, which last year earned a positive review from a KentOnline reporter.

He stayed the night after Britannia was named the UK’s worst hotel operator for the 10th year in a row.

Brittania has been contacted for comment over the mould discovery.

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