1864 - Great Eastern Hotel built (1988 - Converted to Flats)

Great Eastern Railway began a weekly service to Rotterdam in 1863 and in the following year began a similar service to Antwerp. It therefore followed that the Great Eastern Hotel was built to enable prosperous continental travellers to be entertained in luxury.

The Hotel was built by Thomas Allom in 'the free Italian or mixed style' and was opened in July 1865. Ten roundels on the front portray national historical figures. The facia for the hotel name is under the clock. Unfortunately the building was on too grand a scale and was not economically successful.

It still stands on the quay but has had a variety of uses. During WW1 it was used by the Admiralty and served as a military hospital. The Admiralty again used it in WW2 as administrative offices. In 1951 it became the Town Hall and municipal offices. It is now in private ownership having been converted into flats.