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THE SANDERSON FAMILY
In 1925, Allan Doble Sanderson bought Sanderstead Court. He had already the country retreat Selsdon Park that he opened as a twenty four-room hotel in 1925. As a previous racing driver at Brooklands in the years 1920 to 1923, Allan continued as a member of the Brooklands Automobile racing club from 1924 to 1926.
During this time, he also owned a business called London Lubricants, which he sold in 1927 to Snowdrift Lubricants. With his purchase of Sanderstead Court, he turned this into a smaller hotel. The Word Sanderstead was dropped, and in 1928, "The Selsdon Court Hotel" opened its doors to the public. This stayed open through to the beginning of the Second World War where it was closed. In 1944, the hotel was severely damaged and later in 1958 was demolished.
Over the years, Selsdon Park has stayed open and has been extended and rebuilt. Allan Doble Sanderson son Basil, took control of the hotel in 1960 and the family sold the hotel and the grounds to 'Principal Hotels' on 13 March 1997 the grounds of the old Court were built on except the clock tower stables. In 1979, these too were demolished and today the only part remaining is the old entrance walls with the "Sanderstead Court" sign.
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