July.1999 / Page3
The Famous York Branch: 　Anyone who has taken tea at the York branch of Bettys cannot have failed to notice the art deco elegance and style. − inspired by the 1930s decor of one of the world's greatest ocean liners, the Queen Mary, which symbolized the new exciting era of innovation, speed, and sophistication. Built as a flagship for Cunard, she was ready for her maiden voyage on May 27, 1936, and amongst the first 2,000 passengers ware Frederick Belmont and his wife Claire, who were enjoying a long-deserved and hard-earned rest from the successful Cafe Tea Rooms. Belmont was so impressed by the ship's interior − created by leading designers, with paintings and sculptures by world famous artists, and with over 50 varieties of wood used in the paneling and pillars − that by the time he disembarked in New York, he had started to plan his most ambitious project yet. He had decided to create a Cafe Tea Room in St Helen's Square in the center of York and it was to be a fashionable rendezvous with the style and elegance of the Queen Mary. 　York already had many cafes and tea rooms and the building Belmont chose was a dilapidated furniture store in need of extensive renovation. Nevertheless, he was determined to make his new Cafe the best yet and no expense was spared. London's finest fitters came up to York to recreate the wood paneling and pillars that Belmont had admired on board the Queen Mary, and when the four floor shop opened on June 1, 1937 (exactly one year from the day when Belmont disembarked from the Queen Mary), it included the Oak Room downstairs, the shop and counter on the ground floor, the first floor Belmont Room and a ballroom on the top floor. 　Belmont's nephew, Victor Wild, was 14 at the time of the grand opening and remembers, " It was a very grand occasion, everyone in formal dress, the Lord Mayor and Civic Dignitaries in their gold chains. The reception was in the ballroom, and although it was in the middle of the day the Venetian blinds had been lowered so that we could fully appreciate the crystal chandeliers, the softly-lit ceiling domes and the gold satin curtains. There was champagne and speeches and applause and lively chatter and the ballroom seemed crowded with bright elegant people."
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