ASSEMBLY ROOMS – COUNTY ROOMS – CITY ROOMS, HOTEL STREET

Hotel Street takes its name from a hotel that never was.  Architect, John Johnson, designed the building circa 1792, to be called the Hotel to differentiate it from the ordinary inns.  It was to be the ultimate in entertainment and relaxation, with an adjoining theatre. The money ran out during building, and the property was was sold to a group who intended to turn it into a coffee house.  They also got into financial difficulties, so in 1817, it was completed by public conscription money led by the Duke of Rutland (see Rutland Arms Horsefair St) sold to the County Justices, for Quarter sessions use as a Judge’s Lodge, known as the County Rooms, also known as the Assembly Rooms it was also used for the safe keeping of public records. Opened officially 1800.