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Its original incarnation was Norbreck Villa, a smaller building built in the mid-19th century, which stood in two and a half acres of ornamental grounds. #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #Norbreck #Castle #Hotel #Blackpool #coast #seaside
By the 1890s there were so many visitors to #Norbreck that an opportunity was seen for Norbreck Villa to be converted to a "first-class family" #hotel; a provisional licence was applied for in 1898 but the application was refused. #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #Blackpool #seaside #coast
Nevertheless by 1905 it had opened as the #Norbreck Hydro #Hotel with a castellated extension (image, left) and a total of 60 seaview rooms. It was truly a leisure hotel, with golf, tennis, croquet, billiards...So close to #Blackpool too!
#SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast
#SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast
In 1912 things really took off when the proprietor James Henry Shorrocks added a huuuuge extension- the #Norbreck #hotel was so unlike anything else in the vicinity- & had advantage of space- not the case for most #Blackpool competitors #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast
Early guests included Professor of Dancing William Harold Cadman and Theatrical Manager George Montague Montanini. If anyone has any info on the career of these two, please share- we're very interested! #Norbreck #Hotel #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast
By the 1920s the hotel complex was looking goood, with leisure facilities galore...It really was THE place to stay- see the advert (from 1921)- would you be tempted? Whist drives, cinema displays included! #Norbreck #Hotel #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast #1920s
Shorrocks was still at the helm &oversaw the #Norbreck's full makeover in 1921-comprehensive renovations ensured it was fully modern in every way. Entertainments upon reopening included an #Easter Monday fancy dress ball #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast
The #Norbreck also had a swimming pool by c.1925, with Sun Ray baths - very modern and attractive to guests seeking a relaxing and healthy holiday #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast
If #Norbreck was THE hotel resort to be in the 1920s, in the #1930s it really upped the ante with the addition of yet another HUGE wing completed 1934. Special weekend rates were introduced-still quite a novel concept. #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #history #coast
And now some historic map action to show just how much the #Norbreck #Hotel had expanded since its early years - map on right 1914, map on left 1948. #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #history #coast
Some further images of those fantastic facilities... "New and unique solarium"- sun and sun circle, and sunshine deck which was located next to the dining room #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #history #coast #1930s
...And here is that very dining room! #Norbreck #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #history #coast
All jolly japes of sunning, leisure, pleasure came to an abrupt end with the Second World War. The #Norbreck was one of many #seaside hotels requisitioned by Government as whole departments were relocated away from London. #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #history #coast
The Dept of Pensions was ensconced at #Norbreck #Hotel in #WWII -from 1944 the newly formed Ministry of National Insurance...remaining there for several years after the war [Image: Fred Higgins of MNI https://social.shorthand.com/DWP/3yuWTb4MWP/a-century-of-public-service-3-people-tell-their-stories] #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #history #coast
![The Dept of Pensions was ensconced at #Norbreck #Hotel in #WWII -from 1944 the newly formed Ministry of National Insurance...remaining there for several years after the war [Image: Fred Higgins of MNI https://social.shorthand.com/DWP/3yuWTb4MWP/a-century-of-public-service-3-people-tell-their-stories] #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #history #coast](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERd6y16XkAcRSVI.jpg "The Dept of Pensions was ensconced at #Norbreck #Hotel in #WWII -from 1944 the newly formed Ministry of National Insurance...remaining there for several years after the war [Image: Fred Higgins of MNI https://social.shorthand.com/DWP/3yuWTb4MWP/a-century-of-public-service-3-people-tell-their-stories] #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #history #coast")
There were complaints from Dept staff re: freezing working conditions- issue raised in 1949 Commons debate: use of oil stoves to supplement coal fires& c/h, but advised no major improvements be made as derequisitioning was on horizon #Norbreck #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek
James Henry Shorrocks the MD who led the #Norbreck to top pre-war leisure #hotel greatness, shuffled off this mortal coil in 1943, leaving a whopping £22K. His bequests included his viola & bows to a Mary Norbury 'a v worthy & talented performer' #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek
FANFARE! In May 1952 after 13 yrs of closure, the #Norbreck #Hydro #Hotel reopened to holidaymakers following extensive "top to toe" renovations. "The complete answer to the family holiday...the same warm-hearted welcome with a new face" #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek
The #Norbreck #Hotel was popular with several leading football teams who travelled there to train on the beach, incl @ManUtd @ManchesterCitfc @Everton @SheffieldUnited @sheffieldwed. Here's Man City in 1926-7 (MC website) https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/february/from-the-manchester-city-archives-beach-training-at-blackpool #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek
....And here's @ManUtd Manager Matt Busby at #Norbreck #Hotel in 1962- cards being played by Shay Brennan and Maurice Setters "with a little help from young United fan Joanna Meek". (Getty Images) #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast #football
As TV variety shows became popular in the 1950s, many were broadcast from traditional variety venues incl #Blackpool. #Norbreck #Hotel hosted popular peak-time show Holiday Hotel with Jimmy Jewell #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast [Page 14 @RadioTimes 9 Sept 1955] #history
![As TV variety shows became popular in the 1950s, many were broadcast from traditional variety venues incl #Blackpool. #Norbreck #Hotel hosted popular peak-time show Holiday Hotel with Jimmy Jewell #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast [Page 14 @RadioTimes 9 Sept 1955] #history](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EReTkYkXkAEDgkC.jpg "As TV variety shows became popular in the 1950s, many were broadcast from traditional variety venues incl #Blackpool. #Norbreck #Hotel hosted popular peak-time show Holiday Hotel with Jimmy Jewell #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast [Page 14 @RadioTimes 9 Sept 1955] #history")
Big changes came in 1962 when #Norbreck was put up for sale by auction as a freehold going concern by @knightfrank (Knight, Frank & Rutley). Selling points incl 377 b/rooms and 22,500+ sq ft of conference & exhibition space #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast
The 1960s and 1970s were especially lucrative for the #Norbreck at a time when conferences and exhibitions were big business in the #hotel sector, but #showbiz razzle dazzle also featured heavily... #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #coast
At the 1971 GOWR "Night with the Stars"- #Blackpool season's main event-all the greats were there- people were turned away as over 600 'theatricals & friends' partied until past 4am. Who do you recognise?(The Stage) #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #showbiz #history
Into the late #1970s and #1980s the #Norbreck #Castle #Hotel (as it was now known) gained a reputation for its #gigs...including The Angelic Upstarts, @Adamaofficial @OzzyOsbourne @thestraycats, Slade, @toyahofficial #Blackpool #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #seaside #rock #postpunk
Now owned by Britannia Hotels Ltd, #Norbreck #Castle #Hotel stands as monumental tribute to its grand hotel heyday. #SeasideHotelOfTheWeek #Blackpool #coast
