Sale - Brooklands Hotel

In 1872, the imposing Brooklands Hotel, designed by the architect Edward James Thompson, was built on the corner of Marsland Road and Hope Road in Sale.  Its grand appearance would have made it a distinctive landmark in an area which was then a small country village of farmers and market gardeners.

The hotel was owned by the Grand Hotel company of Manchester and throughout its 100 year history was frequently used as a headquarters by local organisations.

The most notable meeting the landmark Hotel hosted was that between the Federation of Master Cotton Spinners, represented by Sir Charles W. Macara, and the Operative Cotton Spinners, led by James Mawdsley.

Cotton workers had been on strike for 20 weeks, since October 1892, following a 5% wage cut announcement. Stability for the industry was essential.  ‘The Brooklands Agreement’, the first agreement between employer and employee in the cotton industry, was signed after 14 hours of discussion, bringing the strikes to an end.

Many planning applications for alterations and additions to the Hotel were submitted to Sale Urban District Council between 1872 and 1960, by several architects including E.J. Thompson, Graves and Ellerton architects and John Knight.

Handsome plans for an additional tower with intricate timber frame designs, designed by local architect Robert John McBeath, were submitted in 1888. McBeath was a prolific architect in the Trafford area, drawing up designs for numerous residential houses and shops in the late 19^th and early 20^th century, including notable plans for additions to the Sale Hotel at 131 Marsland Road in 1888, and the Primitive Methodist Church at 25 Carrington Lane in 1910. In fact, we have already identified well over 200 building plans within our collection attributed to R.J. McBeath. 

In 1947, plans for a greenhouse to boost food procurement were submitted, with the Notice of Intention stating it was to be used ‘for growing food for use in the hotel’. Proposals for the conversion of the bowling green into a car park were submitted in 1959, signalling a move into a more modern era.

The Hotel’s history is however marked by tragedy, as a fire broke out on Monday 9^th July 1909.  Leading the Sale and Ashton on Mersey Fire Brigade on that evening was Superintendent John Johnson Hunt – a widely respected and experienced officer - who had prepared and planned for the eventuality of a fire at the hotel with his brigade.

This preparation ensured the fire was tackled promptly and effectively, however the building still sustained considerable damage, particularly on the roof and south-western gable, and in the throes of the last attack, the gable roof collapsed onto Superintendent Hunt.

Despite being able to return home to recover from his injuries, Superintendent Hunt passed away six days after the fire. His funeral took place at St. Paul’s Church in Sale on the 14^th July 1909, with the Sale Guardian reporting, ‘all along the route to the cemetery the footpaths were thickly lined and there were thousands within the cemetery grounds’.

The procession to Brooklands cemetery made a ‘most powerful impression’, led by Ashton on Mersey’s manual fire engine carrying the coffin and accompanied by members of the Sale, Manchester, Salford, Stretford, Cheadle and Altrincham Brigades with a horse drawn tender, Council members and officials, family, friends and members of the public.

Despite this tragedy, the hotel remained popular over the years, even hosting the comedians Laurel and Hardy in 1947.  However, at a public inquiry in 1972, proposals were made to demolish the Hotel and build an office block and petrol station development.

An attempt was made by Sale Borough Council to have the Hotel preserved as a ‘building of historical significance’, however this was rejected and the Hotel was demolished on 23^rd July 1972.  On hearing of the demolition, local artist, Rupert Kay, hurried down to the site and made an impromptu sketch of the building, capturing its last moments.

The service station and office block, now named ‘Marsland’, was completed in 1974 and is now owned by Bruntwood. In October 2022, a Red Plaque was unveiled on the side of ‘Marsland’ to commemorate John Johnson Hunt’s dedicated service. The ceremony was attended by many of Hunt’s family members, serving fire fighters, Fire Brigade Union and local Council officials.  

References to the Brooklands Hotel remain in the local area, with its neighbouring Tap House, ‘Brooklands Tap’, still standing, and a pub nearby on Marsland road being named ‘The Little B’, alluding to its size in comparison to the ‘big B’. 

The plans we have unearthed at Trafford Local Studies reflect the varied history of this iconic building, and provide depth to our understanding of its development over the years.

Further research

You can find more building plans and archival records using the Trafford Local Studies catalogue.

Sources:

Ciaramella, Tony (2022) Life & Career of Superintendent John Johnson Hunt.

Dickens, Steven (2013) Sale Through Time. Gloucestershire: Amberley. 

Express Advertiser (6^th June 1991) Stan and Ollie did stay in Sale.

Manchester Evening News (14^th August 1972) Rupert Kay sketch.

Sale Guardian (29^th June 1972) D-Day For 100 Yr-Old Hotel.

Sale Guardian (6^th July 1972) Hotel Days Are Ended.

Sale Guardian (2^nd November 1972) “ ‘Offices on hotel site will add to traffic’ claim.” 

Sale Guardian (24^th July 1975) ‘Lost privacy fight still continues’.

Website: John Johnson Hunt - Red Plaque

Website: Marsland, Sale | Leased Offices in Sale | Bruntwood

Brooklands Hotel. C.1900s. Trafford Local Studies Photographic Collection, cat.ref. TP 10864

Plans for Stables and Hotel. 1872. Trafford Building Plans, cat. Ref. PLA/2/SAL/1872/2/1474

Proposed alterations to Brooklands Hotel. 1899. Trafford Building Plans, cat. Ref. PLA/2/SAL/1899/2/2394

Brooklands Hotel. 1972. Trafford Local Studies Photographic Collection, cat.ref. TL 4291

Sketches of demolition by Rupert Kay. 1972. Sunday 23^rd July. Trafford Local Studies collection cat. ref. LHC /124