“Benchill Hotel”(PH) Hollyhedge Road Wythenshawe

THRELFALL'S PROGRESS -The opening of the Benchill Hotel will provide a definite requirement in this area. Since the application to the licensing justices about two years ago that particular section of Wythenshawe has grown tremendously. It seems only a very short time the site of the hotel was almost inaccessible, brooks and hollows separating the shopping area in Hollyhedge Road from the fields beyond. And now this has all changed, and it is even possible to visualise what the form the future development will take.

Hollyhedge Road as now formed reveals the 200 feet diameter roundabout which defines the junction of the crossroads. This centre will be particularly interesting in the near future, for upon the four sectors principal buildings of the district are planned for building. A beginning has been made by the erection of the hotel, the church buildings are already taking form, and in the near future the public baths and the library will occupy the two remaining sectors.  Development is rapidly going ahead, housing schemes are being carried out at the front and rear of the new hotel, roads are pegged out, school buildings have been started, and in a comparatively short time what is now green pasture land will become one of the largest section of the Wythenshawe satellite town. Messrs Threlfall's of Salford, having regard to the importance of the site, have spared no efforts or expense in providing what they claim to be one of the finest modern hotels since the war in this part of the country. The preservation of trees in front of the hotel and the forming of shrubberies adjoining the forecourt add much to the pleasing character of the main frontage. With broad draw-up and a large parking ground for over 100 cars the hotel stands well back from the main road, and the quiet dignity of the building can be more fully appreciated. Hotel planning has gradually come back into its own during the last 20 years. It seems only a short time since licensing magistrates generally viewed with disfavour applications from brewers who desired to erect new or improve and enlarge their existing establishments. All this has changed, and every encouragement is now given to breweries in Manchester and Salford to submit schemes of hotel improvement.

A director of Messrs Threlfall's discussing this change of policy by the authorities said that the modern hotel plays a big part towards the elimination of drunkenness , and these establishments are greatly appreciated by the people using them. The greater use of the roads has also had considerable bearing upon the type of hotel now erected, facilities for the parking of cars, the provision of meals, and sleeping accommodation all come back to the early purposes of licensed houses. In the early part of the fourteenth century the forerunners of the public houses were provided for the devout who travelled to their various abbey churches, and such a place still remains at Glastonbury. The call for a refreshment house, where accommodation for the traveller is provided, goes back to those early days. At a later period when people travelled by stagecoaches the inns provided suitable liquid refreshment, and so today we can hail with pleasure the modern public house, where even the would be Victorian would not be ashamed to be seen seeking his refreshment.

The Benchill Hotel has been planned to give facilities under good conditions to all classes of customers. The large Central Lounge is entered from the forecourt through glazed revolving doors. Its walls are wainscoted with in Australian walnut of natural shade with horizontal bands of a darker colour and finished with ebonised black capping with lines of brilliant crimson. The floor harmonises in colour and is carried out in rubber. The lounge is lighted and ventilated by a large ceiling lantern, and one end is entirely glazed and has French windows opening out on to an arched loggia near to the flagged terraces which during the summer months will be provided with teak tables and chairs. The whole of this garden vista is framed from within the lounge by luxurious hangings. Chromium electric-candle fittings provide the lighting and the comfortable settees, upholstered oak table and chairs are in keeping with the whole scheme. Then there is the Central Bar service, which is simply screened off and enclosed within bronze finished grille, the glass shelving and display cabinets lit by subdued lighting. An extensive radio installation together with microphone and radiogram has been provided, and concerts held in the hotel can be relayed to all parts of the establishment. The smoke rooms are all in harmony with the Lounge and have comfortable chairs and settees. Special consideration has been given to the panelled wainscot, which is of unusual design. One of these rooms is finished in natural oak with Zebrano and black stripes, and frieze of low relief fibrous plaster in soft colours.  For patrons desiring meals, aside of the business Messrs Threlfall's are anxious to encourage, special accommodation has been provided in the Gentlemen's Smoke Room. Food is served from the Service Room adjoining from which a lift travels to the kitchen above. There is a separate entrance at the front for the Dining Room, and also to the gardens, and thus there will be no necessity for persons desiring food only to enter the licence section of the premises.

On the parking ground side of the hotel is a luxurious Public Bar with drinks at minimum prices, for gentlemen only. This is finished with delightful shades of green terrazzo, with floors to match. Flesh tinted mirrors framed into the walls, radiator, radio and architectural features in the terrazzo, all add to what must be one of the finest Public Bars in the country. This entirely a new feature of hotel construction and is extremely handsome. Counters and all fittings are finished in natural polished oak picked out in black. Windows throughout are leaded and made interesting by the introduction of animal and bird life carried out in delicate shades. Pleasing curtains, furniture and electric light fittings, all add to the beauty of this particular part of the premises.  For the patron on the cheaper side of the hotel who desire to take his refreshment in company with his wife, special provisions have been made, too. Messrs. Threlfall's are the pioneers of, and have introduced into their most recent hotels, the “Mixed Bar”, and one of these has been introduced into the Benchill Hotel.

The walls are tiled to dado height in two shades of delicate green, there are comfortable oak seats , and loose furnishings are provided. The service bar matches. A separate entrance is provided for patrons using the large assembly room on the first floor, which is reached by an oak staircase leading to ante rooms and crush landing. The assembly room has a polished oak floor, walls with low oak wainscoting, picked out in colour. Rich carpets and wicker furniture add to the general beauty of the room, which is lofty and well ventilated, has an enriched fibrous plaster ceiling, and emergency staircase at the far end of the room, which is also conveniently arranged for food service. The remainder of this floor and also the second floor is planned for the use of the manager and his staff.

Externally the hotel is reminiscent of many of the larger country houses of England. The brickwork is of narrow gauge sand-faced bricks set in cream tinted cement. The façade is picked out in the centre upper portion with solid oak half-timbered and cement panels, and the principal entrances are emphasised with flat lead-covered hoods carried on oak brackets. Simplicity of design characterises the whole of the building, and a well-designed and beautiful hand-made tile roof with swept valleys and bonneted hips lends charm to the building. Adjoining the forecourt a flagged terrace runs along the whole of the front , bounded by a low brick parapet wall. Bronze ornamental lamps illuminate the principal entrances, and the parking ground is floodlit. Considerable thought has been given to the lay-out of the garden which is in course of construction. When it is completed it will have a large flagged terrace, herbaceous boarders, shrubberies, bowling and putting greens, and rock gardens.

The hotel has been erected to the designs of Mr Benjamin Waterhouse, L.R.I.B.A. Decorative products, which have done so much to make the hotel a place one will like to visit, have been supplied by Messrs Donald Macpherson Co. Ltd.of Manchester and London, and are of their famous “Foochow” brand. There are durable gloss enamels, flat oil paints, water paints and “Synroz” synthetic enamels which make the work of the decorator a real joy. Messrs. Gaskell & Chambers (Lancs) Ltd. Have supplied their patent hygienic “Dalex” beer engines and patent “Hygex-Sillerite” rigid piping and fittings through which beers will be drawn by the most direct route from the cask to the counter. They have supplied also tables, chairs and stools for the lounge and other rooms, and a variety of special appliances for use in the bars. The fireplaces for the hotel have been supplied by the Manchester Trades Supply Co. Ltd., whose showrooms are at Mantresco House, 89 City Road, Manchester, and whose “Tyton” fireplaces are ideal for use in public rooms, as parts around the opening cannot come off and are guaranteed by the company. [Manchester Evening News Thursday 6 February 1936]

Reference    Builder 23 March 1934 Page 529
Reference    Manchester Evening News Thursday 6 February 1936 - opening + photos