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Maybe the Grand will see functions on this scale once again. This is the 1920s and Wesleyan & General staff enjoy a meal. Viv.
I have many memories of the Grand Hotel, I was working there from about 1978 to 1981 when I moved to work at the Europa Lodge in West Brom (J1 of M5)
The Backyard Bar did exist, as did the Buttery Bar (which became the Penny Black I think) There was a Carvery at the front of the hotel, run brilliantly by Jeffrey Meakin.
The Grosvenor Suite was refurbished to a lovely standard during my time there and renovations to update one of the restaurants, revealed some gorgeous Victorian Tiles which were restored I think by the B'ham Museum and Art Gallery and replaced in the restaurant behind the carvery bar. There were some fabulous events held there during my time, ranging from visits by famous actresses at the Post Literary luncheons, to Star Trek cast members at the many Sci fi events. I remember being in the lift with Arthur Ashe the tennis player, members of pop bands, russian weightlifters, dog show visitors with pooches - life was never dull riding up to the sales offices on the upper floors. It was a huge old building, lots of downstairs corridors that were creepy and I think the weirdest time I spent there was with one of my friends, who as an asst manager, she had to stay on the premises when it was closed over Christmas and her shift was christmas eve, so I said I'd stay too. Talk about scary, I couldn't sleep the place was so creaky when it was empty! Have many fond memories of the people who worked there, some I still keep in touch with.
The Backyard Bar did exist, as did the Buttery Bar (which became the Penny Black I think) There was a Carvery at the front of the hotel, run brilliantly by Jeffrey Meakin.
The Grosvenor Suite was refurbished to a lovely standard during my time there and renovations to update one of the restaurants, revealed some gorgeous Victorian Tiles which were restored I think by the B'ham Museum and Art Gallery and replaced in the restaurant behind the carvery bar. There were some fabulous events held there during my time, ranging from visits by famous actresses at the Post Literary luncheons, to Star Trek cast members at the many Sci fi events. I remember being in the lift with Arthur Ashe the tennis player, members of pop bands, russian weightlifters, dog show visitors with pooches - life was never dull riding up to the sales offices on the upper floors. It was a huge old building, lots of downstairs corridors that were creepy and I think the weirdest time I spent there was with one of my friends, who as an asst manager, she had to stay on the premises when it was closed over Christmas and her shift was christmas eve, so I said I'd stay too. Talk about scary, I couldn't sleep the place was so creaky when it was empty! Have many fond memories of the people who worked there, some I still keep in touch with.
W
Wendy
Guest
What great recollections Lavender thank you for sharing them with us.
I went through a lot of "Sci fi" events in the 80s (probably after your time) most were at other hotels but I do know some of the people who organized these events in your time. I have been to some of the Star Trek events (different organizers) and their great failing was that anything on the kind of scale you get into hotels in the city centre couldn't afford to bring in media people from the USA and the Star Trek cast were always expensive. They would have been lucky to get anyone from the show at an event at the Grand even then.
I used to organise some of those events later, when I moved to another hotel group. We had Hitchhikers Guide and others. James Doohan and Walter Keonig (scotty and chechov) both attended Sci fi events in the Midlands in the late 70s, before it all got too expensive I think. Also met Jeremy Bulloch at a convention in Leeds around 1984 whilst in that job. It was always a riot when they were in hotels, but the General Managers didn't always appreciate the characters there - even if they did like the revenue 
Well said.
Just watched the film 'Toast' again and managed to get some screen shots. The first is the stunning ballroom .....
Looks great
The second is, I think, the rear of the hotel....
The Grand was supposedly 'standing in' for the Savoy which was, at the time of filming, being refurbished. If the rear shots actually are of the Grand, here is a close up of the brown and green tiling in the alleyway (And a close up of Nigel Slater who had a cameo part in the film). Viv.
Looks greatThe second is, I think, the rear of the hotel....
The Grand was supposedly 'standing in' for the Savoy which was, at the time of filming, being refurbished. If the rear shots actually are of the Grand, here is a close up of the brown and green tiling in the alleyway (And a close up of Nigel Slater who had a cameo part in the film). Viv. 
jennyann
Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
Came across the Horton's PDF site which has many photographs and small descriptions of them on it's site. Horton's own several
iconic buildings around Birmingham City Centre, the Grand Hotel being one of them https://www.hortons.co.uk/images/hortons_agmbook.pdf
iconic buildings around Birmingham City Centre, the Grand Hotel being one of them https://www.hortons.co.uk/images/hortons_agmbook.pdf
A lovely website Jennyann. How refreshing to find an architectural business that gives proper recognition to the heritage of the places they are developing. Nicely researched site. Fills me with hope. Viv
My father used to work at the Grand Hotel in the 1950s, he was a carpenter/joiner and worked under I think, a foreman by the surname of Eustace. Both my older brother and I used to go there on a Saturday morning, around the back, down some steps and into the Carpenters shop to help clear up the wood shavings from the weeks work and when needed, mix up fish glue, I can still smell the glue (horrible).
Would this 1870 view have been the site of the later Grand Hotel, Colmore Row? Viv.
jennyann
Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
Hi Viv: The old photo that you posted shows the site the Grand Hotel was built on. This photo appears on the Wikipedia site
for the Grand Hotel. A bit of history about how the hotel came to be built there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Hotel,_Birmingham There is some updated info about the renovations in progress with a finish date of February 2014.
Here's a photo of the rendering of the new Church Street entrance.
for the Grand Hotel. A bit of history about how the hotel came to be built there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Hotel,_Birmingham There is some updated info about the renovations in progress with a finish date of February 2014.
Here's a photo of the rendering of the new Church Street entrance.
Dave M
Pheasey Born Bumper
chrishatpro
Brummie babby
I have just discovered this forum- brilliant! So much information and pictures.
We believe that my husband's grandfather worked at the Grand - as a baker - his name was Harry/ Henry Hathaway, probabley around the time of WW1 - although family knowledge is sketchy to say the least. Does anyone know if there is a website that I could search for former empolyees etc?
Christine
We believe that my husband's grandfather worked at the Grand - as a baker - his name was Harry/ Henry Hathaway, probabley around the time of WW1 - although family knowledge is sketchy to say the least. Does anyone know if there is a website that I could search for former empolyees etc?
Christine
Betty Hopper
master brummie
I went to a Dance at the Grand Hotel when I was 18yrs!!!!! I don't think I have ever felt so inadiquent,gouche out of place, call it what you will. I suppose being a young girl born in Gosta Green was out of place was an understatement. I have never forgotten the beautiful ballroom it was absolutely magnificent { and I have danced in most ballrooms } We were only there because my husband to be was joining the army the next morning. It is so good to know it is being restored and other people can go there.
Betty
{ I have just gone aaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllll stupid }
Betty
{ I have just gone aaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllll stupid }
Anyone know of any refurb progress at the Grand Hotel? Been a while since we heard anything. Viv.
mollie cross
master brummie
My Father worked as a waiter there in the 20s,so thanks for all the info about it.
I will steal some of the pics for my Family History records.:cupcake:
I will steal some of the pics for my Family History records.:cupcake:
Hi Mollie. The photo of the Grosvenor Room in post #109 was taken in the 1920s, so your father would most certainly have known it well. Viv.
jennyann
Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
I was wondering about the renovations also. This link is a Wiki one but it gives a lot of info about the renovations to the Grand Hotel. Due to open this summer if on schedule.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Hotel,_Birmingham
All sounds very promising Bilbo and Jenny. Thanks. Viv.
ellbrown
ell brown on Flickr
W
Wendy
Guest
Fantastic news on the Grand Hotel set to me by Stephen Hartland. https://www.victoriansociety.org.uk...the-facade-of-the-grand-hotel-6th-march-2014/
