
A Lancaster city centre hotel has entered its 400th anniversary year with big plans for the future.
The Royal Kings Arms Hotel on Market Street was built in 1625 and has had many stories within its historical walls over the past four centuries.
"It's a very special year," said co-owner Tony Flanagan.
"There are few businesses that have existed in one location for 400 years."
LISTEN to our interview with Tony Flanagan and manager Fred Milando
Guests at the hotel over the years have included the future King Edward VII and legendary writer Charles Dickens.
The hotel was rebuilt in the Victorian era following a fire, then fully refurbished again in a multi-million pound renovation completed two years ago.
Recently the Royal Kings Arms hosted a St Paddy's Family Fun Weekend to celebrate St Patrick's Day, and has plans in the works for a similar event to mark St George's Day next month.
Tony said: "Our 400th anniversary year is an amazing story and we will do something later in the year for that, with events still to be planned.
"Everybody told me, when I first came here, that the Royal Kings Arms was really important in their family. It was the place to go.
"So many people had their first kiss, their first dance, and celebrated their family events here. That's what we really want to be all about. We want to make it part of Lancaster and the community."