The Queens Hotel in City Square has occupied part of City Station since 1937, replacing one built by the Midland Railway in 1863. In those days most large termini had hotels constructed by the railway companies which served the respective town or city. The decision to erect this beautiful art deco structure was made when the line was taken over by London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Famous guests have included Princess Grace of Monaco, Cary Grant, Laurel and Hardy and the chap I once saw waiting in the lobby for a taxi, the legend that is Eddie Waring. Even though it was subject to a £10 million refurbishment only a few years ago, on 15th December it will be having a further transformation, this time into a gingerbread house!
LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District), in collaboration with Barcelona-based creative studio, Onionlab, will, by means of a magical Christmas projection, turn the facade into a giant gingerbread house to enhance the city’s festive decorations.
Although providing luxurious accommodation for the above named celebrities, as well as those not so well-known, there will be one to top them all, The Gingerbread Man, who I assume will be worthy of a suite (suite – sweet, see what I did there).
He doesn’t get to stay in the lap of luxury for nothing as he will be guiding visitors on a tour round the hotel to marvel at the superb art deco features, which have been lovingly preserved. There will be state of the art technology to captivate passers-by to bring even more Christmas magic.
Celia Imrie CBE
How can Gingerbread Man do this, I hear you ask, well, he has enlisted the help of the fabulous Celia Imrie CBE, who, for those of my readers in remote foreign parts, has starred in many tv series, notably The Darling Buds of May, during the shooting of which, she was resident at the hotel. Her films include Bridget Jones, Nanny McPhee, both of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotels, from which The Queens is a rather large step up, and Calendar Girls. Whilst not being present in person, she has recorded the soundtrack of the visual piece.
For a sneaky peek, click on the video below.
As well as LeedsBID and Onionlab, the event has been created in conjunction with Pro Audio Systems of Bradford and Welcome To Leeds, the official guide to the wider Leeds story.
Magical Night at The Queens runs from 15th to 23rd December with showtimes every 30 minutes, 10 minutes of which is the film. So, why not pop along to The Queens in City Square for this amazing spectacle, or pause on your way through the station.
Please note. Although there is a strong theme of ginger involved, because City Square is now a traffic-free zone, there will be No Parkin. (I’m not explaining that one!)
To find out more about LeedsBID please go to https://www.leedsbid.co.uk/
To look at the showreel from Onionlab click on https://youtu.be/aoAHGMLssgo?si=wz6uVBkaSptmjr3_
For more information about Pro Audio Systems it is https://www.pasystems.co.uk
For Welcome To Leeds use https://welcometoleeds.co.uk/ where you might just find some articles by a chap called Stan, whoever he is!
Should you fancy a stay in Leeds, and why wouldn’t you? Here is the link to The Queens Hotel https://www.thequeensleeds.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI64fS5M_JggMVAsftCh3PFgOEEAAYAiAAEgIj4vD_BwE
All images provided by Chapter81.
Photograph of Ms Imrie by Rachell Smith
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