Stafford shops opening - Turning into a boom town?

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Wasn't there originally a hotel there, before the monstrosity that's there now?
The hotel was next door, where the car showroom is/was - they existed together for a short time. There was a row of houses where Kemley House is.

1356-0.jpg


0_PAS_STO_100419stafford_012JPG.jpg


ljlC58B.jpg




I've often wondered who or what Kemley is/was - there is a fairly similar Kemley House in Hull, already on the residential conversion path.
 
Last edited:

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
The Eagle had to close because of its enormous electricity bill ..... :P

View attachment 10668
Yes, anyone would think it's a cannabis farm !
It was actually closed because property developers St Modwen declined an offer of it continuing as a viable pub.
I always assumed that that pylon was bringing all of Stafford's electricity in from Lea Hall.
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
But also a perfect place for commuters to live - except for the Stafford Arms having been demolished and the Eagle closed.

The judge and jury and the bird in hand are pretty close though. Ideal for commuting, especially if the station gateway masterplan ever comes to fruition.
 

BobClay

Well-Known Forumite
Many years ago (64/65) I interviewed Sonny Boy Williamson II in the Station Hotel Bar for the Staffordshire Advertiser. He was one of the great blues harmonica players of his day. He did a number of tours in Europe (presumably he must have done a gig in or near Stafford) but he gave me the impression of being very sad and somewhat morose. (He'd had a few drinks as I remember and bear in mind I was barely out of school.)
I later learned he'd gone back to the states and died in his 50's, not that long after I'd talked to him. I often wonder if he could see it coming. :|
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
Many years ago (64/65) I interviewed Sonny Boy Williamson II in the Station Hotel Bar for the Staffordshire Advertiser. He was one of the great blues harmonica players of his day. He did a number of tours in Europe (presumably he must have done a gig in or near Stafford) but he gave me the impression of being very sad and somewhat morose. (He'd had a few drinks as I remember and bear in mind I was barely out of school.)
I later learned he'd gone back to the states and died in his 50's, not that long after I'd talked to him. I often wonder if he could see it coming. :|
Bob,
The closure of the Tillington Hall Hotel, the death of Sonny Boy Williamson II.
You MUSTN'T keep blaming yourself !!!
 

BobClay

Well-Known Forumite
There may well be times when I've had murder in my heart ... (cough) :P but I liked the music of Sonny Boy and I liked the stay at Tillington Hall as well. (Take my word for it, I've stayed in hotels all over the world when joining and leaving ships and some of them made Bates Motel look like f**king Butlins.) :heyhey:
 

whitelion

Well-Known Forumite
I used to visit a friend who lived in the houses by the Station Hotel, he used to try and shoot the pigeons on the hotel roof with an air gun. Played gigs there in my teens.
 

markpa12003

Well-Known Forumite
I used to visit a friend who lived in the houses by the Station Hotel, he used to try and shoot the pigeons on the hotel roof with an air gun. Played gigs there in my teens.

Station Hotel was a beautiful building and yet another example of the council demolishing a beautiful building and replacing it with crap! Argh.

My grandparents used to live in Castletown, sadly both deceased now, when the hotel closed down my grandad managed to acquire a cast iron bath which he carried home - with some help.
 

gilbert grape

Well-Known Forumite
The old station grounds was part of our playground when i was a Castletown kid (still am!) and we used play soldiers and build dens! Ahhh, those old days....

Getting back on track with this being a boom town - What stands there now has expanded over the years and I have no doubt the dealership brings people into the town from surrounding areas. Hence the importance of not having such a place next to an eyesore that creates the wrong impression and overshadows a beautiful park. Tastefully cladding it and using it at it's current height would be a different matter.
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
The old station grounds was part of our playground when i was a Castletown kid (still am!) and we used play soldiers and build dens! Ahhh, those old days....

Getting back on track with this being a boom town - What stands there now has expanded over the years and I have no doubt the dealership brings people into the town from surrounding areas. Hence the importance of not having such a place next to an eyesore that creates the wrong impression and overshadows a beautiful park. Tastefully cladding it and using it at it's current height would be a different matter.
The Stafford Arms brought people into the town from surrounding areas before the dealership demolished it for car parking.
 
Top