Imperial Hotel

The Imperial Hotel stood at the corner of Downs Street and Lowry Street where the Jets Club stands today. When it opened in 1887 the new hotel was considered to be the largest and most elegant hotel in the area. It was architect designed by F.D.G. Stanley being 2 storeys with 9 bedrooms upstairs plus sitting and drawing rooms.  Downstairs was the bar, coffee room, kitchen and dining room plus 2 small parlours. There were two shops adjoining the coffee room. One of these was used by W.A. Hopkinson, a saddler. James Cooper was licensee.

Despite being a new hotel, the Imperial lost its liquor license in April 1891 due to an administrative decision in compliance with new regulations regarding the number of hotels operating in the vicinity.  Strangely however, just a few months afterwards in July 1891 a new license was granted for the National Workmen's Club to be conducted from the same premises. 

The Unity Hotel first stood on this site from 1880-1886/7. In 1904 the hotel would become the Cecil.