Hotel Damaged in Attack on Thatcher Reopens in Splendor

BRIGHTON, England — The Grand Hotel reopened today with its newly restored Victorian splendor obliterating all traces of the 1984 Irish terrorist bombing which was aimed at killing Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

“It’s a very emotional moment, but we are all overjoyed,” said manager Richard Baker, who supervised the $16.5-million renovation.

Thatcher escaped injury when the bomb planted by the Irish Republican Army blasted out chunks of the facade and shattered the interior of 19th-Century hotel on Oct. 12, 1984, killing five people and injuring 31.

The Victorian character of the solidly built hotel, a landmark on the seafront of this south England resort, has been retained, and room 629, where the 20-pound bomb was planted, no longer officially exists. It is now part of the suite of room 621.