Palace Hotel Birkdale Southport
The Palace Hotel, designed by the Manchester-based architects Cuffley, Horton and Bridgeford*, opened on 3 November 1866. At its peak it had its own railway station on the Cheshire Lines to link it directly to the racecourse at Aintree, for the convenience of guest. But there never were enough guests, and in 1881 a health hydro was added to the building to enhance its appeal (Architects Mangnall and Littlewoods). In later years the hotel was even equipped with its own runway. Famous guests in its latter years included Clark Gable and Frank Sinatra.
The Palace Hotel, designed by the Manchester-based architects Cuffley, Horton and Bridgeford*, opened on 3 November 1866. Developed by the Southport Hotel Company (funded mainly by Manchester merchants), the hotel stood on a 20-acre site at the end of Weld Road, fronting the Birkdale shore. The 200-feet long luxurious hotel cost an estimated £60,000 and contained 75 bedrooms and magnificent reception rooms. But there never were enough guests, and in 1881 the hotel was completely refurbished, the grounds reduced to five acres, and a health hydro added to the building to enhance its appeal (architects Mangnall and Littlewoods). A variety of baths were installed, a pipe built to draw in salt water from the sea, and It re-opened with over 60 staff, as a Hydropathic establishment to rival the very successful Smedley Hydro. Later, electric lighting was installed, produced by a steam driven generator. At its peak it had its own railway station on the Cheshire Lines for the convenience of guests, to link it directly to the racecourse at Aintree,. In later years the hotel was even equipped with its own runway for light aircraft. Famous guests in its latter years included Clark Gable and Frank Sinatra. Its final owners went into liquidation in 1967 and the building was demolished in 1969.
On the sea-front. Brick, seventeen bays long, symmetrical with pavilion roofs. The unstressed parts have iron verandahs on two floors. {Pevsner North Lancashire Page 236]
SOUTHPORT HOTEL COMPANY LIMITED - Parties desirous of contracting for the works necessary for the ERECTION of the HOTEL, may obtain the quantities at the office of Mr A. D. Cuffley, architect, 44, Princess-street, upon the payment of two guineas, which sum will be returned to the competitors not engaged upon the opening of the tenders. The drawings will be ready for inspection on or after the 21st March. Sealed tenders are to be addressed W. Sale jun secretary, Messrs Sale, Worthington, Shipman and Seddon, solicitors, Booth Street, Manchester, on or before April the 21st.—the lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. [Manchester Guardian 19 March 1864 page 8]
3 November 1866 - The Palace Hotel, Birkdale, opened. A banquet was given to the shareholders, and, in the evening, there was a great display of fireworks. The hotel was designed by Messrs. Cuffley, Horton, and Bridgeford, of Manchester, the contractors being Messrs. Bordon, Edwards, and Foster. The furnishing was executed by Messrs. Garnett and Son, of Warrington, and Messrs. Boothroyd, Son, and Rimmer, Southport. The first manager was Mr. Edward Bisserot. [Annals of Southport, 867 to 1902. Page 176]
* Originally designed by Cuffley Horton & Bridgford. However, on the death of Mr Cuffley which occurred at an early stage, the work was continued by the present firm of Horton & Bridgford. [British Architect 17 August 1877 Page 86]
Reference Manchester Guardian, Wednesday 9 March 1864, Page 1 (Contracts)
Reference Manchester Guardian 19 March 1864 Page 8 (Contracts)
Reference Annals of Southport, 867 to 1902. Page 176]
Reference British Architect 17 August 1877 Page 86
Reference Pevnser Buildings of England 1969 North Lancashire page 236 – the original building erroneously attributed to Mangnall and Littlewoods