Fleetwood hotel marks its 175th in style

The seafront hotel, designed by noted architect Decimus Burton and one of Fleetwood’s finest buildings, marked the occasion with a string of activities over Easter weekend.

The celebrations began on Good Friday with an official ceremony outside the hotel involving the Mayor and Mayoress of Wyre, a town crier, music from Fleetwood Old Boys Band and singers, the Wyre Warblers.

The hotel played host to a vintage fair on Saturday and a vintage craft show on Sunday, with a classic car show being held on Easter Monday.

And there has been no shortage of music either, with a generous helping of jazz, folk and rock music throughout the weekend.

Aside from its architectural merits the 53-bedroom hotel is also steeped in history.

The Grade II listed seafront hotel, which opened with something of a fanfare in 1841, was a stopping off place for railway passengers heading up to Scotland from down south.

Victorian travellers would set of from London’s Euston Station by steam train, and disembark at Fleetwood, staying overnight at the North Euston – aptly named for its railway link to the capital.

From there, the passengers would travel on to Scotland by sea – a memorable journey all round.

Over the years famous visitors included, at different times, the acclaimed poets William Wordsworth and Wilfred Owen.

The hotel was bought in 2010 by experienced hoteliers Paul and Fiona Spearman.

Hotel manager Stephen Dale said: “There’s been huge interest in our 175 celebrations. People have been happy to join in, enjoy the fun and help celebrate our history.”