Pubs

The significant historical and social differences between these two neighbouring towns are vividly brought into focus by the variation in pubs and other hostelries that have existed, or still exist, in each. Harrogate is a relatively new town which catered for the burgeoning spa trade facilities of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, while Knaresborough is an ancient market town that served farmers and tradesmen who flocked to the market there each week for centuries, as well as workers in local industries. Many of Knaresborough's old inns and pubs survive to refresh what is still a vibrant market town, while Harrogate is now a leading conference centre offering a multitude of pubs and hotel bars. This fascinating new book describes and depicts the many inns, pubs, beerhouses and bars that characterise both towns, with intriguing and often little-known information about their histories and the people who ran them, drank or occasionally died in them.

'As smooth as oil, sweet as milk, clear as amber and strong as brandy.' Boniface, in George Farquhar's play The Beaux Stratagem, describing Lichfield ale. Farquhar was one of the visitors to Lichfield in the eighteenth century when the city was notorious for its many pubs and brothels. Today, thankfully, only its pubs are famous and continue to add colour to this fine Georgian city. The great medieval cathedral forms a magnificent backdrop to the many pubs of the city, some of which were visited by Lichfield's most famous son, Samuel Johnson, whose brooding statue can be found in the city's market square. Many of Lichfield's ancient pubs, some of them old coaching inns from the days of stagecoaches and highwaymen, are still in existence; others, sadly, have gone. This book tells the story of those lost pubs – where they were and why they disappeared – as well as examining those that still grace the city, tracking their history through the centuries and telling their many uplifting, sad, and sometimes strange stories. Find out about haunted pubs, the pub where an army regiment was founded and the two rival inns where political parties encouraged mob violence in the street that separated them. Lichfield Pubs is a book that residents and visitors alike will not want to miss.

As a market town conveniently located on major transport routes, Loughborough historically has offered visitors and inhabitants a large number of drinking establishments – pubs, taverns, coaching inns, post houses, alehouses – and the town was once home to the extensive Midland Brewery Company on Derby Road, close to the canal. As the town grew rapidly during industrialisation, the demand for more inns, beerhouses and off-licences grew too and, in 1889, 264 establishments were licensed to sell beer in Loughborough. By the twenty-first century this had shrunk to around a fifth of this. In this book author Lynne Dyer surveys drinking establishments in Loughborough that were in existence immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic and those that have reopened since that time, tracing their history and fortune. Included are historic buildings such as the Loughborough Arms in Baxter Gate, originally a coaching inn on the Earl of Moira's land known as Rose and Crown; the Royal Oak on Leicester Road, built to serve the turnpike road, which also hosted auctions and inquests; and the Paget Arms, a fine red-brick building on the corner of Paget Street and Oxford Street, built at the centre of a Victorian housing development for workers in Loughborough's expanding industries. Also featured are recently constructed pubs such as The Project in Market Street. In Loughborough Pubs, author Lynne Dyer takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the town's watering holes, many of which have retained features and traditions of previous ages. Brimming with quirky tales and facts, this carefully crafted guide initiates readers into the fascinating history of Loughborough's pubs.

Sheffield is the fourth-largest city in England and was where the Industrial Revolution began in earnest. It is renowned for its high-quality steel and fine cutlery, for its two large universities and for having, when it was built, the biggest shopping centre in Europe, yet there is so much more to know about this proud South Yorkshire city. As in many places, these pubs grew up with the city, both shaping and being shaped by its changing prosperity through the years.In Sheffield Pubs, Ian Rotherham, Christine Handley and Michael Liversidge present an excellent collection of photographs from which the reader will glimpse some of Sheffield's oldest pubs as well as the town's more popular watering holes and established 'locals'.

The pubs of Stoke are numerous, and each has its own fascinating tale to tell. While many have been lost due to time, money or misfortune, the stories and memories live on. As one of the key centres of the Industrial Revolution, the development of Stoke-on-Trent into the expanded city we know today was heavily influenced by this major event. In fact, it was the development of the Potteries industry in particular that had a lasting effect on Stoke. The introduction of such big industries brought about major population growth in the town, and the workers and growing communities needed a place to socialise and relax. Well researched and beautifully illustrated, Stoke-on-Trent Pubs takes a journey through the city's inns and taverns, stopping off for a pint, a chat and a bit of history along the way.

Thornbury Pubs From Old Photographs offers a captivating glimpse into the history of some of Thornbury's most famous pubs. This charming collection of photographs provides the reader with a visual representation of the pubs, the workers, the owners and brewery transport as well as beer-mats, advertising signs and other ephemera associated with the industry. This eclectic, carefully chosen collection, accompanied by factual captions, is not only an insight into the history and life of the pubs in this area but is also a valuable record of a bygone age and an industry that has sadly declined in modern times.

North Shields and Tynemouth, historically united, lie on the north bank of the River Tyne. North Shields grew up as a fishing port serving the Priory of Tynemouth on the headland. As other industries moved into North Shields, particularly shipbuilding, the town expanded from its site along the riverbank to accommodate the workers, absorbing villages nearby. Latterly, much of the town, including its historic quayside area, has been regenerated. Nearby Tynemouth remained smaller and today attracts many visitors to its beaches and historical landmarks, particularly the castle and priory. In North Shields & Tynemouth Pubs, author Eileen Burnett takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the towns' watering holes. Many of the pubs have retained features and traditions of previous ages, and she reveals the variety of North Shields' and Tynemouth's pubs, including the characters that have frequented or run the public houses over the years. Brimming with quirky tales and fascinating facts, this carefully crafted guide initiates readers into the history of North Shields' and Tynemouth's pubs.

Manchester is a modern and cosmopolitan city that is also home to a range of old and traditional public houses. Many of these establishments have retained their distinctive heritage, with some dating back to early modern times and many having witnessed key moments in the city's fascinating past. The nineteenth century in particular was a pivotal time in Manchester's history, and middle- and working-class daily life outside the factory was often centred around the inn, pub or alehouse. One's 'local' was a focal point for sociability, a centre for transportation, discussing politics, business transactions, and hosting meetings. This was also a key time for legislation that impacted on drink culture. The 1830 Beer Act and the arrival of the beerhouse radically changed the nature of drinking in the city. Brewing giants began to monopolise the industry by mopping up hostelries in an ever-growing tied-house system, which affected the style and quality of pubs, and these effects can often be seen in pubs that have survived into modern times, mainly through their architecture and design. Despite a current climate of pubs closing on a regular basis, the pub as an institution constantly reinvents itself to survive and many of Manchester's old-fashioned hostelries sit alongside modern offices and apartments. In this book, author Deborah Woodman takes an engaging and illuminating look at pubs in the city centre, which highlights a novel aspect of Manchester's history. Featuring a superb selection of colour and black and white images, Central Manchester Pubs will be of interest to locals, visitors and all those with connections to this exciting city.

Ever since the days when it was reconstructed as one of King Alfred's burhs (fortified towns), Lewes has experienced a wealth of taverns, inns, alehouses, and public houses. Today the erstwhile county town of Sussex has a range of pubs that reflect this interesting, quirky, affluent yet also sometime fiercely independent and radical town.Author Kevin Newman takes the reader on a fascinating journey through Lewes' watering houses past and present. He explores the trivial, the unknown, the spooky, the unusual and the achievements that have taken place in the town's pubs. He also tells of the many characters that have frequented or run Lewes' public houses, including the pub that stands on the site of the UK's highest death toll from an avalanche. Lewes Pubs tells many fascinating tales and will make locals and visitors alike want to visit one of the town's taverns straight away.

Situated on the Firth of Tay, Dundee is Scotland's fourth largest city and was once a major east coast trading port. The Industrial Revolution heralded a time of great expansion, notably with the jute industry, and with its marmalade and publishing industries the city became famous for 'the three Js' – jute, jam and journalism. After its post-war decline, Dundee embarked on an ambitious regeneration programme and in 2014 it was chosen as UNESCO's first City of Design. In 2018 the design museum V&A Dundee opened on the waterfront, and the dynamic city now attracts many visitors to explore its rich heritage and vibrant culture. In the late nineteenth century, Dundee was estimated to have more pubs per head of population than anywhere else in Scotland as well as several breweries. In spite, or perhaps because of this, the city later returned Britain's only prohibitionist Member of Parliament, Edwin Scrymgeour. Many fin pubs were lost in the redevelopments of the 1960s and 1970s and more recent years have seen others disappear as social habits continue to change. The city still boasts many outstanding and historic pubs, though, some of them now listed buildings, and each with a fascinating story to tell. In the wake of the opening of the V&A Dundee – and the subsequent increase in visitor numbers – a new breed of interesting and quirky bars has opened, some of them giving fresh purpose to historic buildings. In Dundee Pubs, author Brian King takes the reader on a fascinating tour of the city's most interesting, oldest and famous watering holes. Along the way he answers such questions as how did the Phoenix get its name and just who was Doc Stewart? Illustrated throughout, this book will be of interest to local residents, those with connections to the city and visitors.

The Wirral peninsula encompasses a fascinating diversity of places. Bounded by the River Dee to the west and the Mersey Estuary to the east, this unique area includes urban and industrial centres such as Birkenhead and Wallasey, built around the docks, the towns of Hoylake, West Kirby and Heswall, the faded seaside resort of New Brighton, rural hinterland and the unique Port Sunlight model village. In Wirral Pubs, author Les Jones takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the area's watering holes, many of which have retained features and traditions of previous ages. Brimming with quirky tales and fascinating facts, this carefully crafted guide initiates readers into the fascinating history of the Wirral's pubs.

The pubs of South Tyneside are numerous and each has its own fascinating history. From enjoying a post-work tipple to celebrating the football result on a Saturday evening, the pub is the hub of the community and an iconic part of Britain's high streets. Local author and historian Eileen Burnett traces the history of South Tyneside's drinking establishments, from South Shields to Hebburn, taking in the landlords, notable characters, stories and a pint or two along the way. South Tyneside Pubsprovides something for everyone, whether they have lived in South Tyneside all their lives or they are just visiting this part of the North East.