Gangster’s pad is ideal place for a staycation
THIS is the mansion that was once owned by a notorious Welsh gangster – but has now been transformed into a luxury holiday home.
Richmond Hall used to be the home of John Damien Gizzi, a notorious gang leader and cocaine trafficker.
After selling it on, it later became a cannabis farm, run by two Vietnamese illegal immigrants who grew plants with an estimated street value of £181,500.
But now, holidaymakers can book the eight-bedroom pad – with nine bathrooms, an indoor swimming pool, a games room and a tennis court – for just over £2,500 a week.
And visitors who’ve stayed there have nothing but glowing praise for it, with reviewers on TripAdvisor and Sykes Cottages, who rent it out, calling it “stunning”, “amazing” and “fabulous”.
The country hall is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the edge of St Asaph in Denbighshire. It also boasts a gym, sauna, and snooker room with its own bar.
There are beautiful countryside views, a glass summerhouse and sweeping lawns.
Former gang ringleader Gizzi was jailed in 2006 for beating up two homeless men with wooden staves. He was released after three years of a five-anda-half-year sentence.
But in 2011 he received an 11-year sentence after admitting conspiring to bring cocaine into Wales. His ninestrong gang were locked up for a total of 66 years.
After his 2006 conviction, the house was put up for sale under the Proceeds of Crime Act with an asking price of £2.6m, but after the slump in the property market the price dropped to £1.7m.
It was bought by local woman Julie Jones and her husband, who let it out. Mrs Jones then set about converting it into a luxury holiday property.
They now let the property through Sykes Cottages, but Julie says she doesn’t voluntarily tell the guests about its previous owner.
“It does have a chequered history and, though I prefer not to go into that, anyone who Googles the name Richmond Hall will see John Gizzi’s name,” she told the Daily Post .
“We’re pleased that it’s doing so well because it brings tourists into the area and helps the local economy.”
During the summer months the mansion is let on a weekly basis only, whereas in winter it is let for weekends. It is already booked up for this summer.
Peter Harrison, chief commercial officer at Sykes Holiday Cottages, says: “It’s no surprise that Richmond Hall is such a popular property. With room for up to 20 guests, it’s an ideal base for larger groups who want to explore all that’s on offer in the beautiful surrounding areas.
“Come rain or shine, Richmond Hall has something for everyone, a games room and indoor pool for wetter days and a tennis court surrounded by idyllic Welsh countryside to enjoy during warmer weather. The area itself has increased in popularity significantly too.
“We’ve seen a 29% rise in bookings in the north Wales area, where Richmond Hall is situated, between 2016 and 2017.
“The stunning mountains of Snowdonia, picturesque white sandy beaches along the coastline and numerous castles nearby have made north Wales the second most popular staycation destination overall in the UK in 2017.”