Back again to the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow to shoot two sample rooms.

Weird, walking along corridors stripped back to bare walls and floor boards, lit only by builders running lights and then into two finished sample guest rooms complete with tiled bathrooms. Despite major works still to be carried out in the building’s infrastructure these rooms give the company the ability to finalise looks, themes and fittings.

Sample guest room Grand Central Hotel Glasgow

This image was a composite of 3 images taken at different speeds and combined in Photomatix Pro and then finished in Adobe Lightroom. It gives a much fuller tonal range including the light through the window.

The hotel had been so run down by the previous operators, Comfort Hotels, that the local authority refused permission to access the  lower floors that have in the past been service areas and kitchens. I understand that this was from a safety point of view as the place was over run by rats and rubbish. Probably something else too!

Following on from my entry earlier this week,  I covered the invitation evening on Thursday.

Pianist, lighting and smoke effects at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow

Still very much a building site with all the trades  at work, hospitality ‘buyers’ were given exclusive access to this ‘old lady’ some 7 months before it is due to open. Welcomed by ‘decrepit’ waiters and a doorman, a grey haired trio and plenty of ancient cobwebs,  guests enjoyed, umm, sherry in the foyer. Then, the 100 guests were accompanied by staff from the company’s Edinburgh hotel, The George, up along long corridors past actor ‘painters’ and on to the grand old ballroom.

Within seconds of arriving a spectacular light show started and then a pianist in the centre of the floor continued the theme. Guests enjoyed champagne and canapes – all brought in specially as the hotel kitchens were unusable.

Great lighting for atmospheric images

I have a connection with this old hotel. My father Eddie Williams was the General Manager for 10 years in its heyday in the 1970′s – the days of the Malmaison and La Fourchette restaurants. So it is with some interest that after the demise of British Transport Hotels (BTH) at the end of the 80′s, and it has to be said a lack of development funding, the Central is going to be restored to most of its former glory. I too worked in the company all over the UK for 10 years.

I have a shoot tonight at the old Central Hotel in Glasgow.

Now owned by Principle Haley, who also own the George Hotel in Edinburgh, it is due for a major refurbishment to bring it back to its former glory days.

David Welch, the area Director for both hotels, has briefed me on the spooky event planned for tonight. Guests are buyers of events and large functions and the aim is to let them see the hotel before work starts. Dry ice, smoke effects, ‘decrepit waiters’ and eerie lighting are all in the mix – should make for an interesting photo challenge!!

The hotel used to be part of one of the best hotel operators of yesteryear – British Transport Hotels. More on that when I update my blog after tonight….