Historicaleigh - The Grand

April 4, 2016 by Carole Mulroney

The Grand

The saga of the Grand seems to run and run and it's sad is to see it deteriorating, so lets look back at its past.

In 1896 Henry Choppen applied for a provisional licence for a new large residential hotel to be built facing the cliff and to be called the Leigh-on-Sea Hotel. There would be no drinking bar in the hotel, which was mainly intended for the accommodation of visitors. There was a very lively debate by the licensing committee including the following—

The Chairman: There is great objection in the County Council to Leigh “on Sea” (Laughter). Are you prepared to call it Leigh “on Thames”

Counsel for Mr Choppen: Yes sir, certainly

Magistrate: Leigh “on Mud” (Laughter)

Counsel for Mr Choppen: After all, I visited Leigh the other day and there was a distinct smell of brine and shrimps (laughter) which the scientific people call ozone, and a very healthy smell.

This article is by Carole Mulroney of Leigh Lives. To read more history of the town we love visit http://www.leighlives.co.uk