The oldest continuous serving business in Penguin is the Neptune Grand Hotel. First built and licensed in 1887, its maritime name is not surprising given it was built by Captain JB Taylor who subsequently sold it a year later to Captain Christian Anthon, both prominent local mariners. From the description in the North-West Chronicle of August 22 in 1887 it was a substantial building of 21 rooms situated on Main Street.
Apart from providing refreshments and accommodation it also served a variety of other purposes, many of which seem surprising today. For example, it was the location of the local morgue and inquests, the site for meetings of the Road Trust (the forerunner of local government), then the first meeting place of the Penguin Council prior to the Council Chambers being constructed just around the corner. Diverse visiting specialist services such as dentists, opticians, jewellers and tailors were regularly in attendance.
By 1909 an additional double storey wing built of brick was erected on the western side (see below)
“Fire destroyed the main wooden section of the Neptune Grand Hotel at Penguin and badly damaged the brick section early yesterday morning. Damage is estimated between £8,000 and £10,000. The fire was the biggest that has occurred in Penguin.” (Mercury May 9, 1949).
This resulted in the construction of the modern version built by Lou Stubbs which we know today with some modifications. By the 1960’s and 70’s the hotel was less reliant on accommodation and focussed more on food and entertainment. The popularity of the Neptune’s cabaret room with live music and the advent of counter then bistro meals (who can remember Room 13?), all summoned the changing nature of hotels at that time.
In terms of ownership/ management over the years some of the longest serving include – Christian Anthon, James McAuliffe, Alex Oliver, Bill Green, Jack Masters & Sam Brown with the current ownership the Goodstone Group.
PS – Anyone with anecdotes or photos relating to the Neptune Hotel, please consider sharing them with the PHG to add to our records.