Hotel Como, Portishead
The Hotel Como was later known as The Bay Hotel.
Saturday, July 16, 1904
There is a wonderful description of Hotel Como in a supplement that was included in the Clevedon Mercury and Courier and Somerset Weekly Advertiser dated Saturday, July 16, 1904. The hotel was decked out as part of the welcome for Her Royal Highness, Princess Henry of Battenberg when she came to lay the foundation stone for the Nautical School that was to replace the old training ship Formidable which had been anchored in King Road, just off Portishead Pier.
An extract from the paper states: “The Hotel Como was in the forefront with tasteful ornamentation and the fine grounds attached gave plenty of scope for an effective display, and Mr E Lloyd, the proprietor, is to be congratulated upon the result. The boundary wall bordering the road (Nore Road) was set off with bunting, while a fine display of fuchsias and other flowers made the entrance look attractive. Bracken ferns, relieved with bright poppies, made an imposing show and the illuminations at night were a great success. Some 1,000 fairy lights were used and 100 Japanese lanterns. On the top of the building a large ‘ER’ in fairy lights was conspicuous.”
An enjoyable evening was provided at the Hotel Como, with the band of the 10th Company, 1st Gloucester (Royal Garrison) Artillery engaged to supply music for the visitors. Mr Lloyd admitted the working classes free of charge, but made a charge for admission to others. Dancing took place on the lawn and the grounds were charmingly illuminated.
Before Hotel Como
The hotel had formerly been a gentleman’s residence, a lodging house and a school. In 1897 it was converted into the Hotel Como by Edwin Lloyd from London. When he applied for a license, it was initially refused because there was one pub for every 278 persons in Portishead!
One year later Mr Lloyd managed to convince the authorities that his premises would be a private hotel. By 1899 it was described as “one of the most luxuriously appointed hotels in the Kingdom”.
The hotel changed its name to “The Bay Hotel” at some point and during 2000/01 the whole of the site was redeveloped and the once “fine grounds” are now covered with apartment buildings that surround the original hotel building.
About the Author
Sandy Tebbutt is a respected local historian and member of the Gordano Civic Society, for whom she published a series of local history books, Posset Pieces.