The Midland & Royal Hotel was a prestigious three-story red bricked hotel opposite the entrance to the old Gloucester Eastgate (Midland Railway) Station. It was built by the Midland Railway in 1898 and housed many famous visitors.
In 1979 it was having a facelift to bring it back to its Victorian Splendour.
Citizen: 15th October 1981: Talks on Royal Hotel’s future: The future of one of Gloucester’s oldest hotels, the Midland & Royal in Station Road, is currently undecided. The hotel, which at one time did very well, has been shut down and boarded up by its owners – Whitbread Flowers Breweries – because it is no longer economically viable. Mr Derek Edwards, Whitbread public relations officer, said: “The place was losing money when it was open. The hotel part of it was closed some time ago and only the bar was left anyway. We are currently discussing the matter with the City Council, who would like to develop that area.” The Midland & Royal, which is near to Gloucester Leisure Centre and opposite the site of the old Eastgate station, probably dates back to the 1880’s. The brewery used to own 26,27 and 27A Station Road, which were near the hotel and are now part of the Leisure Centre Complex. These buildings can be traced back to 1884 and in 1936 they were bought for £2,000. The Midland & Royal has been leased to various tenants over the years. When the last tenant retired Whitbread’s put in a holding manager until closing the place down and recently boarding it up.
This page will be updated with additional information.
Landlords:
1893 W.H. Maclinder (Royal, Station Road)
1902,1906 Henry J. Radford
1907 W.H. Mackinder
1919 Oliver John Carter
1927 Mrs Nellie Woods
1972 John and Joan Watts (moved from the Spread Eagle when it closed down)
1979 Richard Ray
