The Chichester Harbour Hotel

The building at 57 North Street is Georgian and was built in 1804–6 as the home of Admiral Sir George Murray, who distinguished himself at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 and became Mayor of Chichester in 1815, the year he was knighted.

A rare photograph of Admiral Murray’s former house taken in the early 1930s (1)

In February 1939 plans for a £25,000 licensed residential hotel, known as the Ship Hotel, were approved by the City Licensing Justices with a full license assigned to Mrs Betty Healy who was to be the resident manageress. The application was made by the then owners of the building, Allied Hotels.

Although the licenses conditions did not cover the provision of a bar, the application was opposed by Arthur Bennett the resident manager of the Dolphin Hotel and Mr Bisshopp licensee of the Old Cross. The former was concerned that his monopoly was under threat and the latter that there was no real market for dining rooms.

1939 Ship Hotel opening date advertised

With the work of local architect Harry Osborn the Ship Hotel eventually opened to non-residents on 12 April 1939 offering 30 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, H&C water and central heating and a passenger lift.

1940 Ship Hotel change of management

Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery met here in 1944 prior to D-Day. In 2015 the Harbour Hotel group acquired The Ship Hotel renaming it the Chichester Harbour Hotel and Spa. The building was listed Grade II in 1950.

Ship hotel in 1962

(1) Image from Alan Green

4 thoughts on “The Chichester Harbour Hotel

  1. Good Day , This is an historical question . Living in Chichester until 1975 , this hotel was a regular ‘watering hole’ , the management at the time was Major Tom Westlake and his wife Joanne . Between us we often spoke of the history of this particular building ; my father , a master carpenter , was involved with the renovation of the original stairway , an Adam style if I remember correctly . (l might add l am 76 years old) . l also remember the
    ‘dungeons’ wine cellars at the time . Now my historical question , was this hotel related to the ‘sinque’ (sink) ports ? . l must say the upgrade of this hotel is JUST GRAND !. This hotel was the venue for my sister’s wedding in 1974 , very pleasant it was too . Brian . South Africa .Brian .

  2. Dear Sirs, I am just a keen observer of local history and motoring in UK (resident in South Wales) and having worked for a few days in Chichester 20 years ago I watched two pieces of film footage, one of which has this Ship Hotel in it very clear indeed as the film has been digitally enhance to a very high standard.

    Please look at YouTube and search for Living History AI Enhanced, within their listings is Chichester in 1953 and 1960, the latter contains The Ship at around 3mins 35 seconds. Im sure your society if not aware of this footage shall be delighted with seeing it.

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