British sculptor Charles Sargeant Jagger who also designed the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, London. A statuette version of the figure is to be seen in the study of Eltham Palace, where it was displayed by Stephen Courtauld, who was – like Jagger – a member of the Artists' Rifles during the First World War. The Blitz During the Second World War, the Watts Warehouse was hit by Luftwaffe bombs, but it was saved from destruction when the fire was smothered by textiles. Conversion to a hotel The textile industries that built Manchester eventually dwindled and, like many other industrial structures in the North of England, Watts Warehouse fell into disuse and was derelict for many years. The building was threatened with demolition in 1972, but was spared. In the 1980s, the building underwent conversion, retaining many of the original interior features. In May 1982, the Britannia Hotel opened as part of the Britannia Hotels chain initially with 25 rooms and a nightclub, eventually expanding to 363 bedrooms. The building was Grade II* listed in 1952. The war memorial in the lobby appears on the Imperial War Museum's register. See also Architecture of Manchester Grade II* listed buildings in Greater Manchester Listed buildings in Manchester-M1 References External links How We Built Britain – 5. The North: Full Steam Ahead (BBC Television) A brief history of Britannia Hotels Textile Warehouses in Manchester – Manchester UK The Britannia Hotel – Manchester Online The Britannia Hotel in Manchester – National Archive Commercial buildings in Manchester Hotels in Manchester Warehouses in England World War I memorials in the United Kingdom Monuments and memorials in Manchester Commercial buildings completed in 1856 1856 establishments in England Grade II* listed buildings in Manchester Grade II* listed commercial buildings Grade II* listed industrial buildings Stone buildings Piccadilly Gardens