IN Edwardian times, visiting wool barons would be picked up at Huddersfield Railway Station in a horse-drawn carriage.

They would be ferried in style around St George’s Square, while a liveried footman would carry their bags the few yards to The George Hotel.

Sadly, those days are gone.

But something of the haughty, aristocratic grandeur that permeated The George has proved harder to kill off.

It is there etched in every contour of all the gilt-edged mirrors, ornate staircases, Italian facade and glorious chandeliers.

With an illustrious history as a hotel, stretching back to the 1850s, ‘The George’ could never be ‘just another hotel’.

It has always been the natural place for leaders to meet.

Whenever a famous patron of the arts would visit the town for example, on an assignment, Lord Harewood, say, or Dame Judi Dench to give the town’s £5m theatre project her seal of approval, the hotel would inevitably host the reception.

So news of its closure earlier this week was greeted with genuine shock and dismay whereas any other hotel suffering a similar fate would merely be greeted with a well-turned shrug of the shoulder.

Indeed, when international soloists performed recently in Huddersfield Choral Society’s Messiah at the town hall The George was the natural place for them to stay.

But despite its glittering past has it got any kind of a future?

Joe Marsden, of The Huddersfield Central Lodge Hotel, has been involved in business in the town centre since 1969 and is well-placed to judge that question.

He said: “There needs to be big investment. People, nowadays are used to flying off to Benidorm or wherever and staying in complete luxury, granite floors and marble etc.

“With hindsight years ago they should have gutted the 60 rooms and made 40 with en suite facilities and got rid of some of the awkwardly-shaped rooms.

“The George has a lot of character but it needs a complete refurbishment.

“I don’t know what will happen. I would like to see it reopen but not in the same way as it is now. I am not surprised at what has happened.

“We are in the hospitality industry and I have no doubt that the staff have worked their darndest but without the back up of a costly refurbishment it is difficult.”

Nigel Saxton, who has successfully run for nearly 25 years, The Croppers Hotel in Marsh, a couple of miles off the town centre, said: “I’m not surprised. Hotel bedrooms have come down in price and you can’t get £100 or £75 a night.

“That world, associated with Trust House Forte has gone forever.”

Paul Rogan, an international textile broker from Stainland, said: “Modern business today has got to be done in a modern way.

“Tourism can draw upon the past and traditions but industry and enterprise has got to draw upon the modern way of doing things – sadly, The George is a railway hotel for a Victorian world.

“It’s difficult to get there, it’s not easy to find and it is a segment of traditional infrastructure which belongs on a tourism trail and not the businessman’s almanac.”

Steve Leigh, Mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce policy chief, said: “Given that we have just had Christmas and New Year it seems a strange time to have financial problems.

“It is indicative of the state of the economy. I, along with many others are quite shocked.

“It is the home of Rugby League, it’s an important part of the history of the northern community and it is very disappointing and worrying news. I shall be interested to see where the difficulties lie.

“Let’s hope that arrangements can be made so that the George can rise again and operate as an important landmark hotel in the centre of Huddersfield”.

MORE concerns have been raised about valuable heirlooms locked inside the George Hotel.

The historic hotel was shut down on Wednesday and all of its 35 staff were made redundant.

Joint receivers Colliers International and Rollings Oliver are handling its closure and have put it on the market for £1.4m.

The receivers vowed on Thursday that items in the Gillette Rugby League Heritage Centre, in the basement of the hotel, would not be sold.

But now another local group has revealed its historic possessions are locked inside the building.

Tony Bailey, vice chairman of the Huddersfield branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA), said they were concerned about a cabinet of military memorabilia in the foyer of the hotel.

He said: “We went down to find out if we could get it and the security guard wouldn’t let us.

“I want to make sure that it’s not whipped away as it’s full of silverware and medals loaned to the branch by members.”

Mr Bailey said RAFA had held monthly meetings at The George for 14 years and was now looking for a new base.

He added: “We need town centre premises for about 15 people to meet at once a month.

“We’re sad to see The George go as they’ve looked after us very well.

“It’s a lovely venue for people who are coming from far and wide.

“Obviously they had the hiccup last April but there was no hint this was coming.

“Talking to staff before Christmas they were all happy.”

Colne Valley MP, Jason McCartney, who is president of the Huddersfield RAFA branch, said he was concerned about the security of the cabinet.

And he said he hoped new buyers for the hotel could be found.

“What other hotels are there in the centre of Huddersfield?” he said.

“It’s a fantastic location and with a bit of love, tender care, enthusiasm and commitment it could be turned round as a going concern.

“I hope that when fans come for the Rugby League World Cup in November that it will be open so they can visit the heritage centre.”

A spokeswoman for Colliers said she thought it was unlikely that any RAFA property would be sold.

She said joint receiver Nigel Nattress would make agreements with individuals who have possessions in the hotel who could prove provenance for them, to be able to go and collect them.

The contact number is 0161 831 3324.

Huddersfield Giants star, Eorl Crabtree, also revealed concern about family heirlooms locked inside the hotel.

Eorl said a 1931 Challenge Cup final winner’s medal from when his grandad, Shirley Crabtree Senior, played for Halifax against York, was loaned to the Rugby League Heritage Centre.

He said there was also a Yorkshire winner’s medal and a historic photo of the Challenge Cup final.

He said: “My worries have been eased a bit by what’s been said but at the same time I’ve not had any official communication which is the frustrating thing.

“They’re of great sentimental value and obviously we want to get them back into safe keeping.

“It’s a shame this has happened.”

Meanwhile rugby league fans and pundits have suggested the crisis-hit hotel and birthplace of the sport, could be taken on by the RFL.

But a spokesman for the Leeds-based league said there had been no discussions about them buying the failed hotel.

He said: “We purchased Red Hall for £3m from Leeds City Council only a few years ago.

“The George Hotel is an important place in the hearts of rugby league fans but it’s a hotel at the end of the day.

“We’re saddened to hear of its closure but hopefully new owners can be found.”