Mention The Pigeon Detectives to 88-year-old Hazel Botham and she might think they're a bizarre branch of the Flying Squad. She certainly wouldn't know them as the Leeds rock band chosen to be the first act to perform at the newly-restored Spa Royal Hall in Bridlington.

But mention the Spa and Herman Darewski's dance band – the one which the posters said "makes your feet tingle the minute they strike up the latest tunes" – and Hazel is 17 again, and, in between a waltz or foxtrot, stealing kisses on the outdoor balcony as the sea breeze ruffles her ballgown.

In the late 1930s, the Spa helped to shape and colour her memories, as it has tens of thousands of lives during its sometimes tempestuous 112 years.

Hazel's parents lived in Otley where her father was a wool merchant and fellmonger. Fellmonger? "You know, they prepared animal skins for tanning. It's all done by machines now."

The family spent holidays and weekends at Bridlington. "At first we had a caravan at Barmston and then Dad built a bungalow in Riviera Drive, Sewerby. On Saturday nights he'd run the three of us – me, my sister Peggy, and our friend Betty Lambert – to the Spa in the

"They were thrilling times for a young lady emerging into the world. I remember Henry Hall and his orchestra playing there, and Billy Cotton, and Ceres Harper, but mainly it was Mr Darewski's band.

"When we started going everyone wore evening dress, but later the code was relaxed and more informal wear appeared – which was just as well for us because my parents got fed up of packing the car with all our long gowns and accessories for the journeys to Brid.

"A lot of flirting went on at the Spa, especially on the top open terrace facing the sea. I remember smooching there with whoever you were keen on. In our circle that meant chaps like Jeffrey Shaw and Geoffrey Usher. At 18 I started smoking too, but compared with what goes on now it was all very innocent.

"It was several years before I settled down. For many others, the Spa helped create lasting relationships. Our friend Betty met a local man there, Reg Armstrong, and they got married."

The war redirected Hazel and broke her links with the venue. Back in Otley, she worked on an assembly line, producing munitions at the factory of Dawson, Payne and Elliott. Petrol rationing meant there was no chance of more weekend visits to the East Coast, and anyway the bungalow in Riviera Drive was requisitioned by the Army for a sergeants' mess – "and they ruined it. By the end we needed a new fireplace."

Later she lived in Cornwall for 25 years before being widowed and returning to Bridlington for good. She's recovering from a major operation now but, as she approaches 90, is still up for a round on the links. "Goodness, perhaps I've told you too much. I hope they won't make fun of me at the golf club."

Among her photographs is a picture of the grave of one of her Spa dancing partners. He became Lieutenant Usher and was killed in the war.

Bits of their past, such as a programme for the Whitsuntide weekend of 1939, are among the bulging pink folders, recording the Spa's eras, in the Bridlington Room of the resort's public library.

Victorian tourists requiring entertainment at the seaside prompted the building of a theatre, concert hall, bandstand and refreshment rooms where Field's offered 'pure' teas and coffees. An Edwardian poster paints a scene around the Spa of flowing dresses, bonnets, boaters and parasols that seem somewhat prim compared with the earthiness of today's Brid. In 1906 the original theatre was destroyed by fire but was rebuilt within a year. Another blaze engulfed the Royal Hall in 1932, but again the Spa was back in business after a few months, and boasting extra features which Bridlington Corporation described modestly as "the finest building for entertainments in the country".

Additions included winter gardens, writing and rest rooms, and solariums and palm courts "which are veritable sun traps" – and ideal, it might have added, for the lounge lizard in his slacks and blazer, and Brylcreemed hair with a left-side parting.

There was also the open-air terrace providing glorious views of the bay, even if those in the deckchairs often needed their furs, overcoats, trilbys and flat caps.

The Spa Committee of the day said its aim was to cater for visitors and local citizens alike, and to be alert to new ideas, or, as it put it: "Every consideration is given to the trend of public taste, the intention being to provide a galaxy of entertainment…"

There's no denying that the Spa has provided variety in every sense. The 1930s' version of keep-fit was its "physical culture class". The legendary tenor Richard Tauber sang there, Arthur Askey told jokes, Sir John Barbirolli conducted the Hallé Orchestra, and Bridlington Armistice Players presented Journey's End, set in the trenches of the First World War.

It's staged tea dances, music hall, summer variety shows, darts tournaments, pantomimes, and was an early Yorkshire venue for pop concerts. Long before Status Quo and the rest made the stage, Cliff Richard and the Shadows topped the bill on 3 September, 1961.

The library has a photograph from the show donated by Mike Wilson. It was one of 36 he took from the front row of the first house, using, as he records, a Voigtlander 35mm camera with Ilford HP3 film. His subject, apparently, was not best pleased at Mike's presence. "Several times during the show, Cliff glared down at me for using the camera".

The Spa's 1932 restoration cost £50,000. This time the redevelopment bill is £20m, shared between East Riding of Yorkshire council, Yorkshire Forward, and the European Regional Development Fund.

It's taken two years and been a no-expense-spared project because, as marketing manager Ruth Puckering explains, the Spa is Bridlington's most notable building and flagship of the planned regeneration of the town. It is also being billed as a star revenue-earner for the coast's economy through conferences, exhibitions, parties, and a range of showbiz events starting with tonight's sell-out concert by The Pigeon Detectives.

These young men from Rothwell belting out their album hits in front of 3,500 fans perhaps won't have time to appreciate that their surroundings, converted from a ballroom for the occasion, are more in keeping with Cole Porter and their grandparents' day.

Hazel Botham, for one, would be transported back 70 years by the restored art deco and the hall's original glass dome with surrounding frieze in a classical style. Similarly, the veteran Ken Dodd will recognise the basic features of the adjoining Edwardian theatre when he returns there in July with his Happiness Show.

In many other respects the Spa has been transformed. Windows have been added or extended to create more natural light and enhance a magical sea view (especially on a sunny day), and all areas are described as 'comfort cooled'. Technical innovations include wireless internet-enabled, state-of-the-art sound and lighting.

The kitchen promises a 'bespoke catering service' and on sample menus there's no mention of the fish and chips which remain the staple of premises around the harbour.

The Spa has moved upmarket, what with slow-roasted pork shoulder and roasted root vegetables, Scottish smoked salmon and tiger prawns laid on a leaf salad, and drizzled in a citrus vinaigrette, and Ogen melon with a mixed summer compote and garnished with peach Schnapps.

You can take the traditional out of its kitchen, but you can't take tradition out of the Spa. Appearing soon will be tributes to Glenn Miller, Abba, Elvis, Tamla Motown, The Beatles, and Freddie Mercury.

There's a reunion of darts' legends in August, a Royal British Legion Weekend, the Antiques Roadshow, and a "sizzling summer show, packed with fun and laughter for all the family". And at Christmas Cinderella is back, with Paul Daniels up to his old tricks.
Oh yes he is.

The Spa is having a public open day next Saturday, June 7. 10am-4pm. Admission free