Rushden Research Group: Queen Victoria Hotel

Anne Cooper

Queen Victoria Hotel
Later the Rilton Hotel

QUEEN VICTORIA HOTEL
Telephone Rushden 189

NOTICE TO VISITORS

HOTEL TARIFF

Bedroom and Breakfast, per person per day		13/-
Luncheon served at 12.30 p.m.		from 4/-
Dinner served at 7 p.m., to order		from 5/-
Lock-up Garages, per night per car		2/-

Visitors would help the Management if they would please :
I. Sign the Register as soon as possible on arrival.
II. Turn off all Taps in Bedrooms.
III. Switch off Lights on leaving Rooms.
	No Night Porter
Hotel Closes 11.30p.m.	Late arrivals ring "Night Bell"

Notice of vacating apartments must be given before 12 o'clock
mid-day, otherwise another day will be charged.

The Management do not accept or cash cheques, so please do not
ask, then a refusal cannot cause offence.

Intoxicating liquors can be obtained at any reasonable hour by
Hotel Residents. It is forbidden by Law for any person NOT staying
in the Hotel to consume liquor except during permitted hours.

The Proprietor will not hold himself responsible for Property lost
in the hotel, unless deposited at the office for security.

(Vide Act of Parliament. 26 & 27, Vict. Cap. 41, Sec 1/).

At the end of the 19th Century Rushden had many licensed public houses and lodging houses but no commercial hotel.

With the expansion in trade and industry, and access by railway it was considered that an hotel was required.

The Northampton brewers Phipps and Company decided this was a project they could take on.

There was violent opposition from the Temperance Movement within the town, especially the voice of Mr. George Denton. They had a very strong following in the town at the time. However they lost the argument and Phipps obtained a licence and land next door to the Railway Station for the erection of an hotel.

Plans were drawn up by Mr. F. Dorman of Northampton. The ground floor contained two bars, commercial room, coffee room, billiards room, kitchen and offices. Upstairs; 25 bedrooms, large drawing room and dining room. It was fitted with all modern electrical appliances and telephonic facilities by a Mr. Smith of Northampton.

The contract to build the hotel was given to Mr. George Henson of Wellingborough at a cost of £12,000, this figure did not include the outbuildings and stables.

The formal opening took place in April 1899. Later in the week Phipps invited distinguished guests to a grand dinner at the hotel and most responded to partake of the wonderful meal provided by Messrs. Osborne and Co of Northampton". (I am not sure if the kitchens, chef etc of the hotel were functioning at this time.)

Mr. Pickering Phipps himself hosted the dinner.

The list of worthies attending is extensive, I am giving just a few that I have heard of. Mr. J. T. Parker (solicitor) Mr. Paul Cave, Dr. C. R. Owen, Dr. J. Crew, Mr. J. M. Sharman. Mr. A. C. G. Vann, Dr. Baker, O. Claridge, R. Marriott, G. H. Skinner, W. Spong, F. Brazier, George Fensome, H. H. Bletsoe. In all the list amounted to 85 names from all parts of the County.

The toast was to "The Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales" proposed by Mr. Phipps.

Speeches then followed from Paul Cave and J. W. Ashdowne, who both mentioned the rise and progress of the town of Rushden. "Success to the Queen Victoria Hotel".

The rest of the evening was spent in 'harmony'.


An early photograph shows Mason's Farm house on the left. The land opposite was yet to be developed.	A photograph in the Northampton Independent Magazine 1927, shows the bowling green on the land to the north of the hotel.

The Rushden Echo 6th August 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins

Bowls – A handicap concluded on the Queen Victoria green on Monday was won by J. Rawson (5 start), 21, the runner-up being E. Linnitt (8 start), 18.

The doorway of the Queen Victoria Hotel.
The window to the left of the picture is etched and titled Coffee Room.


		The hotel is currently being refurbished into luxury flats by Fernbrook Builders - 2007
Three views of the Queen Victoria Hotel, built in 1899

In November 1908 Messrs Phipps & Co of Northampton applied to the Council to build a "2nd class bar & urinal".

To see a list of planning applications 1888-1938 click here

In 1914 Mr William A Evans was the proprietor.

This advert from 1985 tells us that Talarico Ltd owned the Queen Victoria Hotel.

This hotel later changed its name to Rilton sometime ago when it changed hands. I am not sure how many owners it has had in its lifetime, the last time I saw it in the newspaper was in 1998 when it was put up for sale. It stood in a dilapidated state for a while and now it looks as though it is to have a new lease of life as flats. Personally I love the building and Rushden would not be the same without it. A.C.

Property Direct, 6^th March 1998

Sold - Hotel to be Refurbished
The Milton Keynes office of Christie & Co has recently completed the sale of the Rilton Hotel, Rushden, on behalf of Rilton Restaurants Limited.

This prominently located hotel with 23 letting bedrooms plus lounge, bar, restaurant and function rooms has been sold to Draftway Limited who are looking to expand their hotel portfolio.

And Mr R K Agar-Wal, managing director of Draftway Limited, confirmed they intend to carry out a general refurbishment programme to the hotel, starting immediately.

Norman Hardwick, manager of the Milton Keynes office of Christie & Co which covers the Northamptonshire region, commented the sale further demonstrated the strength of the hotel market, and recommended operators considering a sale could be well advised to do so at this moment.

In 2007 the building was refurbished and is now luxury flats and another block is built where the car park was.

Refurbishment 2006-2008