Bruges (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Charlie Rockets Youth Hostel in Bruges will close in six weeks after 29 years. Owner Karel Hessels, 60, is sad about the sale to Dukes’ Arches, which will build 45 hotel rooms. He plans to reopen his pizzeria, Carlito’s, in a new location.
Charlie Rockets, a well-known youth hostel in Bruges, is closing in six weeks after being a favourite spot for backpackers since 1995. People also loved visiting its pool bar and the big cinema nearby. The hostel has been sold to the owners of Dukes’ Arches, a four-star hotel across the street, who plan to demolish part of the building to create 45 new hotel rooms. Karel Hessels, who has run Charlie Rockets for 30 years, said he feels sad about the sale, comparing it to giving up a child.
What led Karel Hessels to transform a cinema into Charlie Rockets Youth Hostel in Bruges?
Karel’s dad found a building in the early 90s while looking for a parking spot in the city. There were three garages behind a cinema, but he had to buy the cinema too. Karel wanted to start a business, so he opened a pool bar in an American style and later added rooms to make it a youth hostel. He also wanted to use the old cinema for music shows and events, but the city council didn’t let him do that or add more rooms.
Karel is feeling disappointed because he hasn’t gotten the permits for his projects, so he’s not excited to fix up the youth hostel and café. He said, “I’m 60 now and have been waiting for 30 years for permits. I can’t leave this for my kids.” Even though Charlie Rockets is closing, Karel isn’t retiring. He wants to open his pizzeria, Carlito’s, again somewhere else in Bruges with part of his team.
