Marquis of Granby Hotel, Littleport

History of the Marquis of Granby Hotel

Littleport, OS 1901, Granby Street

The Granby Hotel Bus, Littleport c.1910

A single horse drawn omnibus was purchased by John Allen, landlord of the Marquis of Granby Hotel in 1889 to convey guests to and from the station. For 3d they could go from the station to anywhere in town.

CDN 9th April 1925: In March 1925 two men booked into the Marquis of Granby Hotel. They attempted to steal a box containing £100 in notes, gold and silver, and when discovered barricaded themselves in one of the bedrooms.Police Sergeant Newell had seen the strangers and becoming suspicious enlisted the services of various well-disposed people to surround the hotel, which was to all intents and purposes in a state of siege. He invited the men to come out of their room but the reply he got was, ‘If you attempt to force the door we shall shoot’. In their endeavour to get away they had drawn the bedstead up to the window and knotted the sheets with a view of lowering themselves to the ground.

Marquis of Granby Hotel, Littleport (RGL2025)

Alva Harlock, Boyhood Recollections of Littleport (1988), recalls that the Granby Hotel was fully commercial and catered for commercial travellers who were brought to and from the hotel by hotel horse bus. He recalls the Townsend family as the owners.