New Sandridge Hotel opens eating and drinking facilities

Press, 18 December 1986, Page 46

New Sandridge Hotel opens eating and drinking facilities

Sydenham in particular, and Christchurch in general, received a magnificent new drinking, socialising and eating facility recently with the opening of the new Sandridge Hotel in Huxley Street on December 8.

The Quill Humphreys, Ltd, complex comprises the Trams Family Restaurant, the public lounge bar, Terminus Ibunge bar, conference room, 16 motel units and a bottle store.

“We believe we have here at the Sandridge Hotel something which is a real asset to the community, said the hotel manager, Mr Lindsay Vickers. “We have set an extremely high standard for

people to meet, eat and drink in comfortable surrounds.

“We have purposefully set these extremely high standards right throughout the complex, including what we call the public lounge bar as there should not be a part of the hotel where people are reluctant or afraid to walk into,” he said. The new Sandridge Hotel continues the name which has been serving drinks to Sydenham customers for over 100 years. The first Sandridge was built in 1878, but was destroyed by fire two years later. It was rebuilt in 1880 and has remained until this day on its old Colombo Street site. The name of the hotel

comes from its geographical location. Dig under the pavements in this part of Christchurch- and one immediately strikes river shingle and sand. This area once was the bed of the Waimakariri River. It also contained many sand ridges — hence the name. The old DB Sandridge was at the stage where it needed major renovations so it was decided to use the facilities already in use at the Huxley Restaurant and incorporate them into a new hotel. Work has moved at a very rapid pace. Renovations started on August 23, and during that time, the

restaurant area has been completely modified and the public lounge bar and Terminus lounge bar have been added.

Nothing has been spared in the new complex. Ramps and toilet areas have been especially designed for disabled people, and there is a Walkman with the menu recorded on it for people who are unable to read the menu. “We believe our standards are the equal of or better than any other in Christchurch, and we would like others to match these standards,” Mr Vickers said.