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INTRODUCTION

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I saw a fortune lying on the streets for anyone to pick up.
Joseph Lyons

The Regent Palace Hotel opened on May 16th, 1915 at the epicentre of London, situated opposite the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Square. At the time, built over 12 floors with 1028 bedrooms, it was the largest hotel in Europe and hailed as "The Height of Luxury."

On a historical note it is important to recognise that the hotel opened during the First World War; a time of great uncertainty not only in England, but across Europe and beyond.


The hotel was built largely due to the entrepreneurial talent and vision of Joseph Lyons, a man who brought high tea and dining to the High Street and changed people's engagement with tea and coffee forever. Without the vision of Joseph Lyons, modern chains and High Street outlets that we take for granted today such as Costa Coffee, Pret A Manger and Caffè Nero simply would not exist.


It is fitting that in 2016, nearly one hundred years after his death, Sir Joseph Lyons was posthumously honoured with a blue plaque by English Heritage.


At its height it competed with Claridges and the Savoy with its sumptuous lounges, array of restaurants, and affordable bedrooms.


It is significant that all the staff who worked in the hotel still have such a strong allegiance to it.


In its later years it found itself in troubled times and under the spotlight for the wrong reasons, wrestling with allegations and changing reputations. Even during this time, staff at all levels stood up for the hotel.


After 91 years, it closed its doors on 31st December 2006.

“The experience I had at the Regent Palace was second to none.”
Former employee
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