“She’s no just a bed to rest a weary head,
“No an end point, or impasse, but a meeting place where different tracks can cross hands.
“A destination in her own right.
“Picture perfect for postcards and the like.
“And always somewhere decent to coorie in from a dreich Glesga storm on a cold winters night….”
A hotel bell boy. Pic: Herald and Times
Glaswegian playwright Laurie Motherwell’s ode to mark the re-opening of the Grand Central Hotel after a multi-million pound refurbishment, perfectly captures the venue’s role at the heart of the city for more than 140 years.
Laurie’s words form part of a stunning light show running all this week to mark the hotel’s return after a year of closure due to Covid.
It is now one of Scotland’s first voco branded hotels, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts.
The free light show will illuminate the hotel’s clocktower on Hope Street with spectacular archive imagery documenting its vibrant history from the building of Central Station in the 1870s, through the industrial revolution and two World Wars into a golden age of travel as a British Railway Hotel which saw Hollywood descend on Hope Street.
Archive images of Gene Kelly, Roy Rogers and Trigger, Sammy Davis Junior, Mae West and many more stars who all stayed at the hotel feature in the projection.
Roy Rogers and Trigger are just two of the celebrities who have visited over the years. Pic: Herald and Times
Many of the images come from the Glasgow Times’ own archives, in addition to memories and pictures contributed by ordinary Glaswegians, regular guests and former staff members.
Kate Pierce, née Powell was a staff member at the hotel during the 1970s, starting as a bookkeeper in 1971 and later becoming Head Cashier.
She responded to the hotel’s call for memories, submitting photos of the staff socials which have been included in the projection.
“At the time, being British Transport Hotel-trained carried great prestige, it was a privileged position and I have wonderful memories of my time living and working in the hotel, including the many interesting and famous guests,” she says.
“We were a very sociable team and there was always staff parties, charitable fundraising and gatherings in the staff accommodation on the sixth and seventh floor of the hotel.
Kate Pierce's pic of a staff dance from 1972
“Five of the front of office staff turned 21 in 1973 and over the years we stayed in touch and when we turned 40, we celebrated with a great party and invited other BTH staff. “
She adds: “We formed the BTH Reunion Club from there.
“We meet up every few years, and next year we will be celebrating our 70th birthdays, so we are hoping to return to the new voco Grand Central Hotel then.
“ It’s lovely to have our memories featured in this special projection. We’re glad to see the hotel and its stories being preserved for generations to come.”
READ MORE: Dramatic pictures help to tell story of Glasgow's river
What are your memories of the Grand Central? Did you stay, work or party there?
We would love to hear your stories and see your photographs - get in touch with Times Past to share.
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