COVENTRY’S Telegraph Hotel is appealing for photos and stories to help create an immersive experience which will bring its past to life.
The hotel was home to the city’s regional newspaper for more than 50 years is creating a new interactive timeline on its website for guests.
The project is inspired by former employees who have reached out to the hotel and want to tell the story of the building.
Contributions can be made on the hotel’s website and will be featured on social media platforms, to preserve the legacy of the paper.
Amy Windsor, general manager of the Telegraph Hotel, said: “We’re hoping personal stories, memories and photos of years gone by will really help bring the history of the Telegraph Hotel to life, creating a deeper connection between our guests and the history and heritage of Coventry, which we know is wonderfully rich.
“The Coventry Telegraph has played a huge role in the city’s recent past and we want to hear the stories of the people behind that.
“For half a century, every birth, death and marriage was marked in the Telegraph – with people all coming to reception to place the notices.”
There are black and white prints of front pages in every room, and polished wooden counter in the lobby where clerks would process classified adverts.
QR codes are also posted next to various printwork equipment to explain their use, such as the comptometer – an old counting machine – or the pneumatic tubes, which were used to transport documents between departments.
Kate Humphries reached out to the hotel to share memories of her late father, James Sheenan, who worked for the telegraph in 1964.
He worked for the Telegraph for 40 years until he was made redundant, with the advances in technology meaning they no longer required him to repair printing machines.
Kate said: “My memories from when I was a child of going into the Telegraph to see my dad would be the smell of the print.
“My dad would also smell of it when he came home from work and his hands were always black.
“I also loved going into the reception and asking if my dad was there, he would always appear with a cheeky grin on his face, like he had just been up to no good.
“He was a real character – a generous man with a great sense of humour.
“He was also a prankster and nearly everyone who worked at The Telegraph would have been at the end of one of his pranks, including the bosses.”
