Tuesday 6 October 2015

Our History Tells A Beautiful Tale...






Once two hotels; the Albion and the Continental Hotel, they were once owned by Mr George Fowler.  No matter who the owners have been throughout history, these hotels were always striving to offer the city the very best in accommodation,  banqueting and leisure.

In February 1936 the construction was completed for the 'new, spacious banqueting and ball-room, equipped in the most up-to-date fashion at the Continental Hotel, Plymouth'. The largest banqueting room in the city and for miles around at the time, capable of seating 350 people!

This ballroom also offered the largest clear space for ballroom dancing in Plymouth, with up to four dances a week being held for the community.

Also home to the first sprung floor in a hotel in Plymouth, overlaid with fine maple wood set on springs, the evenings spent gliding around the ballroom were moments that created memories that would last a lifetime. 

Costing over £17,000, this ballroom had air purifiers, hot and cold running water and the ‘finest ladies powder rooms’ in Plymouth!  That investment equates to over £850,000 in today’s money!

These hidden gems of our history create the rhythm you feel in there today, one of life and wonder, future and possibilities, fun and laughter. If this ballroom could talk, it would tell many a fabulous tale!

We want to keep these memories alive; do you remember a time in our ballroom, have you heard other peoples memories that you can share with us?  We want to mark it's 80th birthday in style and would love to hear from anyone who can help us build a bank of memories!

Email: elinor.eaton@newcontinenetal.co.uk with your memories or the memories of others. We can't wait to hear from you. 

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