[1] The building was originally commissioned by William John Porritt through his development business, the St Anne's on the Sea Land and Building Company, for use as the "Southdown Hydro Hotel": it has been described by the Lytham St Annes Civic Society as "one of the best examples of a Porritt development".

The interior decoration included Minton tiles on the walls and fine stained glass windows.

[6] The proprietor, a Mrs Spyree, claimed that the building enjoyed "the best situation facing pier and sea.

[8] Lytham Urban District Council did not have a permanent headquarters at that time and St Anne's Public Offices were not large enough to accommodate the enlarged authority, so the new civic leaders decided to acquire the Southdown Hydro Hotel which was conveniently located just to the rear of the old public offices.

This painting entitled "the Herd Lassie" was the start of the Lytham St Annes Art Collection which was assembled following further donations by other members of the Booth family, by the former mayor, Alderman James Herbert Dawson, and by other benefactors.