When Nottingham's Royal Hotel opened 40 years ago, the city had never seen anything like it. With four restaurants and a Penthouse bar, it was THE place to be seen, attracting crowds in their thousands every night.
"It was a mega operation. There has been nothing like it since," recalls Geoff Riches, who worked during the golden age of the upmarket hotel, which attracted celebrities including Elton John and Freddie Mercury. The hotel, in Wollaton Street, opened its doors on September 7, 1983.
Geoff, 60, jumped at the chance when he was offered a position there at the age of 21. He says: "I remember walking through the door the very first morning thinking 'Oh My God, this place is absolutely massive, it's fantastic'." The Royal had a workforce of around 600 and was home to the King's Carvery, Gino's Italian restaurant, a steakhouse and a French restaurant.
