Jumpy hotel guests

The beautiful Coombe Abbey near Coventry has just been converted from a run-down monastery into a luxury - if somewhat quirky - hotel under a multi-million contract by Try Construction.

The idea of the development was to give the hotel an ecclesiastical feel with old pulpits, statues and, of course, naked candles. With modern fire requirements this was something of a challenge, but one tackled well by the contractor. However, the project team couldn't help feeling they would rather have worked under the somewhat laxer rules of 50 years ago.

At that time the Abbey was used by a local company for training. Some bedrooms on the top floor had no fire escape - just a tiny window overlooking the moat.

So the moat was dredged a bit deeper under the window and trainees were quizzed as to whether they could swim or not - if they could, they were put in the top rooms and told the only way was down in case of a blaze. Simple - but perhaps not appropriate for guests now.