John  Corbett was a leading personality in the history of Droitwich in the 19^th and just into the 20^th century.

He was born in 1817 the son of a Black Country barge owner. He entered into his father’s business and when it was sold invested in the salt industry and in later years became known as the “Salt King”.

He had what was reputed to be an unhappy marriage to the French educated Anna Eliza O’Meara.

He built a magnificent house, completed in 1875, in the style of Louis X111, often thought to be in honour of his wife.

The house is now the Chateau Impney  hotel and stands as a landmark to anyone entering the town from the North.

It is thought more likely that Corbett built the house and estate to compete with and outdo his great rival Sir John Packington the local MP who owned the house and estate at Westwood Park. This also still exists today on the outskirts of town to the North of the river.

Corbett defeated Sir John to become MP for Droitwich in 1874. When he died on 22^nd April 1901 it was said he owned half of  the town.

With the decline of the salt industry in the late 19^th century, John Corbett became interested in developing the town as a Spa.

The potential first became apparent in 1823 during a cholera epidemic.

There was no water so sick people were advised to bathe in hot brine. People recovered from their illnesses miraculously and the benefits of bathing in brine were discovered.

A local resident Mr Gabb built the first Royal Brine Baths in 1836.

In 1870 a Dr Bainbrigge and Mr Rock took over the baths and John Corbett bought the baths from them.

He also bought the Royal George Hotel and redeveloped the site by replacing the Royal George with a new hotel attached to the baths making a complex called the Royal Brine Baths and Hotel.

He built a second brine baths in 1888 called the Saint Andrew’s Brine Baths.

The brine baths became famous for treating rheumatic and arthritic problems and were not just open to hospital patients but athletes, footballers, the rich and famous and holidaymakers.

This made Droitwich Spa a famous Spa town throughout the major part of the 20^th century.

The Royal Baths closed in the 1930’s and the Saint Andrew’s Baths in 1975.

A new Brine Bath complex opened in 1985, which is open to the public and attached to the private hospital in the town.

The hospital treats private patients including many sportsmen and women as it has a nationally renowned knee clinic.

Droitwich Spa retains its reputation as a Spa town with these and other facilities including a modern sports centre and an open-air lido, which is due for redevelopment.

The local Droitwich Spa High School also has Specialist Sports College status.

Droitwich Spa is twinned with Bad Ems a Spa town in Germany. Many visits and cultural exchanges have taken place in recent years.