Seymour Hotels Centenary Magazine SPREADS - Flipbook - Page 35
ALL ABOARD MASCOT MOTORS
I
All Aboard
Mascot Motors
Holidays in the 1920s were very different from
the holidays we enjoy today. For one, hotels
would arrange a whole week of activities
for guests to enjoy and dining was a shared
experience; something that is usually only
now experienced on cruise ships. But the more
important difference? Not all holidaymakers
would book their hotel before arriving.
32
n the 1920s, the mailboat was the only way to travel to
Jersey. Meeting passengers straight from the boat and
getting the hotel name into visitors’ minds as soon as they
stepped onto the pier was paramount. Rumour has it the first
coach bays at the harbour were highly sought after for this
reason – they held the most power for securing the visitors
who hadn’t yet made a booking.
In 1923, George recognised the potential of having a
prominent harbour presence coupled with the opportunity
to invest in their own
coach service to cater
for the growing demand
in tours and excursions.
Having transferred
business activities from
the guesthouse in Halkett
Place to new premises on
Belvedere Hill, the newly
opened Merton Hotel
provided much higher
occupancy. So George
created and established
the Merton Mascots coach
service. This not only
expanded the offering of
Seymour Hotels but also
helped to promote the
Merton Hotel through the
shared name.
As the Group grew and
more hotels joined the
portfolio of properties,
the name of the coach
service changed to Mascot
Motors. But the service
remained the same;
connecting visitors to the hotels and helping
them to explore our gorgeous Island, from the
twisty country lanes and the rugged fields, to
the wild Jersey coastline and headlands covered
in gorse bushes and wildflowers.
The special char-a-bancs and outings proved
hugely popular. By 1939, Mascot Motors
boasted a 20-strong fleet. Unfortunately,
within a year this prosperity would come to
a crashing halt.
Till the end of June 1940, Jersey was an increasingly
popular holiday spot. Special flyers and posters advertised
the Island as the ‘perfect wartime holiday destination’. But
on Monday 1st July 1940, the first German soldiers arrived.
The Island was officially occupied. The hotels were closed,
commandeered by the German Forces, along with all the
Mascot Motors vehicles.
Shortly before D-Day, the coaches were shipped over to
France. Only one old lorry from the fleet was left behind
and the Seymour Group never saw the requisitioned coaches
again.
Once liberated, in 1945, George and Ada had to re-start
operations. They were back to the same position they were
in when they began the business in 1920, except this time
with the benefit of previous experience and knowing what
they wanted and needed to achieve. New coaches had to be
purchased despite there being little money in the pot, but
George and Ada were resilient and committed to succeed
despite the significant setback.
With Jersey’s new popularity as a burgeoning Honeymoon
Island, another of George’s ideas, the hotel group and coach
operation soon began to flourish once again.
It wasn’t long until the Mascot Motors coaches were back
up and running, helping visitors and honeymooners discover
all four corners of the
Island and its many views
and activities. A favourite
for many was Crazy Nite
at The Pavilion, Gréve de
Lecq. During the day, The
Pavilion was a café but at
night it transformed into
a popular entertainment
venue. The precursor to
‘clubbing’, guests jumped
on a Mascot Motors
coach from their hotel
and transferred to Gréve
de Lecq. At midnight,
following a fantastic
night of shows, dancing
and drinking, they were
collected and returned
safely to their hotel.
In the 1960s, visitor
tastes and demands were
changing. More and more
wanted to explore Jersey
at their own pace and
George and Ada once
again responded quickly to the opportunity.
The transport service was duly diversified. Cars
were available to hire from £2 per day plus a £5
returnable deposit.
Over time, the world opened up as
international travel became easier and holidays
became filled with new possibilities and
adventures. But Jersey never lost its charm
and attraction. Travelling to the Island became
easier with an increasing number of flights and
the introduction of a regular car ferry service.
Visitors to the Island no longer had to rely on a daily
mailboat and the ability to bring their own car became
incredibly appealing. Recognising this change, Seymour
Hotels decided to toot the horn of the Mascot Motors
coaches and close the boots of the cars for one last time in
1993 and instead offer their support to, and partner with,
other local car hire and coach services.
A recurring theme throughout the Seymours’ 100 years
has been the family’s ability to recognise and respond to
changing customer demands. The Mascot Motors service
is testament to this. Just one excellent example of how
guests’ needs are always provided for to ensure the best
service possible,
33