Memories made
ing the decline in industry across the northwest.
“Southport has changed immeasurably since its heyday with the loss of the Winter Gardens complex in 1933, the tram (1934) and most of the buildings that once lined the southeast side of the southern end of Lord Street in the early 20th century.
“However, an organic switch from a high-class Victorian holiday bathing resort to a ‘day tripper’ style town along with increased residency has developed and has allowed Southport to remain popular rather than suffering further decay as is evident in other similar coastal towns. The hotel was founded upon virgin ground to the northern, central edge of the established area of the town in 1853-4 on the then seafront by Thomas Withnell.
“The building was extended around 10 years later in 1865 by Blackwell, Son and Booth adding a similar-sized adjoining block to the north with a central bay with a conical roof and bay either side with pointed windows etc. The blocks to the north that once formed the separate Clifton Hotel are likely late C19 also and are far simpler in their styling than the neighbouring Royal Hotel.
“The building has been
14th Nov 2008: Southport Rotary Club 86th birthday Presidents night at the Royal Clifton Hotel. Pictured is President Roger Wall with his wife Mary, Guest speaker Spencer Leigh with his wife Anne, Assistant District Governor Keith Foggin and other distinguished guests
much altered over the years with the addition of canted bays to the front elevation of the original hotel along with a canopy over the front door entrance likely in the late C19 or early C20. The original hotel was also extended to the rear c.1920.
“By 1928 the
Royal
Hotel had become adjoined to the buildings on Coronation Walk. In recent years an octagonal conservatory has been added to the southwest corner of the building.
“Presently, the original portion of the hotel building is used as such however the remainder (majority) of the building
is disused following functional obsolescence and has been much neglected in the latter C20 and is awaiting refurbishment.”
The original hotel building and the 1865 addition were listed in 1972, five years prior to its conjoining with the neighbouring Clifton Hotel in 1977.