John Gorevan

Glebe Bar

April 7, 2017 by John Gorevan 1 Comment

99 Glebe Street corner of 63 Albert Street ( McAslin Street.)

Broon's Bar Glebe Street 1960s

Broon’s Bar 1960’s.

There has been a public house here since 1860. The first licensee was a gentleman called John Ballantyne, he was registered as a Wine and Spirit Merchant and lived nearby at 77 Glebe Street.

John Ballantyne continued as landlord until 1876 and sold up to wine and spirit merchant Thomas Sweeney. Mr Sweeney also had a public house at 23 Castle Street. Thomas lived at 64 Parson Street, Townhead before moving to better accommodation at 34 Alexandra Parade.

In 1884 well-known Glasgow publican Mr Thomas Logan took over the pub he also had another public house at 43 East Crawford Street at the corner of 53 Glenpark Street. In 1900 Mr Logan lived with his family at 34 Alexandra Parade, the following year he gave up the Glebe Street premises and sold to Mr James Kemp.

Mr Kemp was paying an annual rent of £65 and was granted a certificate to sell wine, spirits and beer on the 10th April 1901, he also had premises at 64-66 Dale Street, Tradeston, South Side of Glasgow. In 1920 James Kemp had licensed premises at 99 Glebe Street, 68 McNeil Street at the corner of Hayfield Street, (Pig & Whistle) 291-93 Main Street, Bridgeton, (Shawfield Bar) and lived at Bertrand, 1 Myrtle Park, Crosshill. James Kemp continued to serve the locals here until after the First World War.

David Dunbar was running the pub in 1923, David served the locals here until around 1935, after his death his wife Elizabeth took control of the business, she sold up in the early part of 1950.

Over the years the pub has been known as John Ballantyne with wines and spirits at each side of his name. The locals also called the pub Sweeney’s, Logan’s, The Glebe Bar and when the Brown family took over the pub name was changed to Broon’s Bar.

The last owner of the old Broon’s Bar was Jack Brown jun., many will still remember him. Do you know anything about this pub or did you drink at the bar? if so please get in touch.

John Eadie.

April 7, 2017 by John Gorevan 8 Comments

John Eadie.

Mr John Eadie. 1892.

Mr John Eadie was born in April 1867 in South Leith, he spent most of his life in Glasgow, a city that found him work and wealth. When young John came to Glasgow he worked in the shipyards on the River Clyde as a Stevedore and Measurer (dock labourer, loading and unloading ships cargo.)

Young John saved all his money and went into partnership with James Henderson as publicans in the summer of 1892, in premises at 149-151 Oxford Street in the southside of the city named the “Glenleven.” Mr James Henderson the senior partner in the firm was born in Ayrshire and was educated in the old masonic village of Kilwinning. When James came to Glasgow he entered into the licensed trade in the south side of the city a trade that he was connected with for years.

The Glenleven Bar in Oxford Street with John Eadie on the Left and James Henderson on the right. 1892.

James and John traded under the title of Henderson & Eadie. John was only only 25 years of age. At that time he learned so much in the trade from his partner, he was born with the gift that he could communicate well with the public and all who met him had nothing bad to say about him. As a people person the locals liked him very much, a gift that worked very well in his favour as a publican. Also see John Eadie’s Other Pub

John Eadie. 1913.

The old pub in Oxford Street was gutted and altered into one of the best bars in the area. Only William Younger & Co., ninety shilling ale was stocked. A special blend of “Glenleven” whisky was much sot after, a 7 year whisky , matured in sherry casks, distilled by Messrs. Haig & Co, Markinch.

The following year John was married to Elizabeth Maxwell Black on December 1893 in a Church in Blythswood, the reception was held at the Alexandra Hotel, Bath Street, Glasgow and their honeymoon was spent in the beautiful Blackford Hotel, Perthshire.

The happy couple started a family at 6 Regent Park Terrace, Glasgow. Their first child Mary was born in 1894, Janet was born in 1896, Lily was born in 1897, Elizabeth was born in 1899, John was born in 1902, Isabella was born in 1904 and James was born in 1905, James was known as Noel by his family as he was born on Christmas day.

John Eadie. 1935.

Henderson & Eadie expanded the business in the following year and occupied the long established licensed premises at 84 Caledonia Road, Gorbals, Glasgow, however the partnership didn’t last that long, John went on his own and kept the Glenleven Bar in Caledonia Road while Mr Henderson kept the Glenleven in Oxford Street. As sole proprietor of the Caledonia Road premises John changed the name above the door to John Eadie with “Wines & Spirits” on either side of his name.

John Eadie was well known in the licensed trade by now, he was a member of various clubs, societies and organisation’s including a Burgess of the City of Glasgow (J.P.) a member of the Incorporation of Weavers which he joined in 1900, Grand Antiquity Society, the Southern Merchants, the Thistle Burns Club, the Scottish Furniture Trades Benevolent Association, the Kareless Klub. The Organisation however in which he took special interest was the Scottish wine & Spirit Merchants Benevolent Institution. After serving on the board of Directors for a number of years was elected president in 1912, in 1931 he was elected treasurer. He gave much of his time and service in the Institution, his service and guidance contributed largely to its success.

The Kareless Klub. 1930.

The Kareless Klub, 1920s, left to right front row J Vallance, John Warnock, 568 Springburn Road, John Eadie, 418 Rutherglen Road, 12 Bridge Street, 171 Watt Street, 84 Caledonia Road, 71 West Scotland Street, James M Maitland, J M Forrester, George Thomson, Harry MacDonald. Back row J S Kerr, 100 Crown Street, George Carrick, Black Bull Inn, 120 Main Street, Maryhill, Thomas W Lang, 483 Cathedral Street, 271 Argyle Street, W B Johnston, Horse Shoe Bar, 164 Crown Street, 16 Dowanhill Street, Charles W Mayger, Joseph Robb, 2 Cromwell Street, 49 Helen Street and Tom W Hogg, 519 Dumbarton Road.

Members of the Kareless Klub photographed at the house of Mr J M Ironside, Dunblane, 1937. On the occasion of their annual outing.

Left to right seated are Mr Thomas Reid, John Vallance, James Maitland, George Thomson, Issac Clark and Alexander Lawson. Standing are Mr T W Hogg, Jack Wingate, T A B Sherriff, Joseph Robb (receiving a cocktail set,) James M Ironside, Thomas W Lang (receiving a cigarette box,) John Eadie, R H Clark and Mr W J Marshall.

An interesting coincidence was associated with the annual outing and general meeting of the members of the Klub, a small coterie of well-known members of the licensed trade in Glasgow. This year two of the past presidents, Mr Thomas W Lang, who was the secretary and Mr Joseph Robb, celebrate their silver wedding and to mark the occasion both were honoured with gifts. Mr Lang received a solid silver cigarette case, at the hands of Mr John Eadie, while Mr Robb received a handsome cocktail set, formerly presented by Mr James M Ironside.

The presentations were made when the company foregathered at the home of Mr Ironside at Dunblane, after a pleasant journey from Glasgow. Following the ceremony and the hospitality of Mr Ironside, the party re-embarked on their bus and proceeded to the Breadalbane Arms Hotel, St. Fillans, where lunch was served and the journey there resumed to Messrs Lang’s Glengoyne Distillery where the business of the day was disposed of.

Mr Ironside, the president occupied the chair and after Mr Lang had read the minutes from the last meeting, a humorous account of the previous years outing and meeting. Mr T A B Sherriff, Bowmore Distillery Ltd, was elected president and Mr T C Reid vice-president, tea and the usual exchange of compliments followed.

The Kareless Klub. 1936, photographed at the Victoria Hotel.

Included right to left seated… A Lawson, George Thomson, James M Ironside, George A Shearer, John Eadie and Thomas W Lang. standing Alexander Melville (guest), James Maitland, Issac Clark, James C Gray (guest), J Vallance, Joe Muir (guest), Joe Robb, T W Hogg, T A B Sherriff and W J Marshall.

This year’s outing was a rare occasion, because it was the golden jubilee of the Kareless Klub, and the fiftieth excursion. Mr George Shearer, president of the Klub headed the event, they set out from Glasgow in a comfortable coach on the first Thursday of June 1936. At his home in Dunblane, Mr Ironside, the vice-president received the party and after refreshments introduced the new comers to his aunt, Mrs Henderson a lady of advanced years but of lively intelligence and his sisters. Mrs Henderson had previously met most of the members of the Klub when residing at Woodside Hotel, Douce, while that hostelry was carried on by Mr Ironside and his wife, that seemed to have become a ritual, the presentation of a box of chocolates to Mrs Henderson, was duly carried out by Mr Shearer. The younger ladies were similarly honoured at the hands of Mr Lang. The health of the ladies, and of the new home was heartily pledged.

Resuming the journey, with Mr Ironside now a member of the party, the excursionists made on to Perth, where at the Victoria Hotel, they were welcomed by Mr Alexander Hinshaw. After the photograph above was taken a first class luncheon was served. An invitation to luncheon had been extended to Mr Joseph Muir, a well-known member of the trade in Perth and a past president of the Glasgow Licensed Trade Defence Association., and bidding him welcome to the feast. Mr Shearer and Mr Muir had rendered great service to the trade particularly in 1920 when the first big Local Veto fight took place. That was when Mr Shearer first met Mr Muir, and the friendship then started had continued ever since.

After luncheon the afternoon was spent in Crieff, Comrie, St. Fillans, Lochearnhead and round by the pass of Leny and Port of Monteith to Drumgoyne, where at the Glengoyne Distillery of Messrs Lang Bro’s Ltd, where the Klub was first constituted a halt was made for tea and subsequently, the business meeting and election of office bearers.

At the onset Mr Shearer, who presided, referred to the death of an old and esteemed member of the Klub in the person of Mr Peter McDonald. They very greatly deplored his passing at the age of Ninety. Thereafter Mr Lang read the minutes and rather Kronicles of the last outing and meeting of the Klub. In moving the election of Mr James Ironside as president for the ensuing year, Mr Shearer said he had very much enjoyed his occupancy of the chair. He was very much indebted to Mr Lang and Mr Eadie for relieving him of many of the duties which he should have undertaken and especially for making the arrangements for the days outing.

John Eadie. 1925. (Thanks to Andrew Eadie for permission to us this photograph.)

In 1900 Mr Eadie secured the licence for premises at 12 Bridge Street which he opened in 1901. He soon expanded his small empire of public houses including 418 Rutherglen Road, 69 Eglinton Street, (which became known as the Station Bar); 171 Watt Street, 84 Caledonia Road, ( which became known as Treanors Bar); 71 West Scotland Street, all of which he had his name above the door.

His brother James was employed to help run the business, James became licensee of 69 Eglinton Street and 275-77 Cumberland Street, 358 Gallowgate ( the Falls of Clyde).

John Eadie moved home to 85 Maxwell Drive in the southside of the city before moving to the Grangeknowe, 60 Aytoun Road with his family.

Mr Eadie wasn’t just a publican he was a Wine & Spirit Merchant, he became a director of R W Cairns, 5 Miller Street Glasgow a pub which still stands today and known as Cairns.

Cairns, Miller Street. 1991.

The old firm of R W Cairns started when Robert W Cairns was employed by Thomas Cansh & Co at their premises at 5-9 Miller Street, in the city centre. Thomas Cansh branched out in 1871 and opened new premises at 130 Buchanan Street. A few years later he took over a pub at 186 Argyle Street which became known as the Grant Arms at the Hielan ‘mans Umbrella. Thomas employed Robert Webster Cairns who became manager for the company. On the death of Mr Cansh, Robert became sole proprietor. In 1894 he sold the Argyle Street business to Finlay Bell of Chrystall Bell & Co for £1,000. Months later Mr Cairns died leaving his brothers Alexander as licensee of the Miller Street premises and David as landlord of the Buchanan Street pub. The Cairns family then took on John Eadie as a partner to inject some youthful expansion into the company.

In 1893 Alexander Chesser was the cellar man in Miller Street premises. Sandy as he was known ,was an old mariner, he was in charge of the very busy cellar of Cairns, Miller Street. At the age of 57, he spent most of his time at sea visiting Iceland to India. He came ashore in 1886 and went into the employed of Messrs Cairns.

Mr Alexander Chesser familiarly known as Sandy. 1894.

Robert W Cairns was born at Stonehaven, Kincardinshire, it was Mr Cairns that introduced English Beers into Miller Street. He died in 1894 and left the business to his brothers Alexander and David.

Another famous pub in the city was the Blythswood Bar in Hope Street, there was a Eadie family connection with this pub. John Eadie’s eldest daughter Mary married William Wright the proprietor of the Blythswood Bar in 1918. When William died Mary was left to run the business. She was re-married in 1930 to Joseph Milne, her son John A Milne became licensee of the business.

The Blythswood Bar, Hope Street.

The read more on the Blythswood Bar Click here.

A few of the outstanding figures of the Benevolent Institution snapped on the quay at Ardrishaig on the occasion of the annual outing in June 1933. Included in the group are Mr John Gordon, C E Cotching (president), J Ralph Hopking Past president), John Eadie (hon. treasurer), William Brechin (director), William Walker (past president), J W S Hutchison (director), Joseph Robb (director), John Paterson (vice-president), and in front Mr Ronald Teacher (director) and George Shearer (past president).

John Eadie died in his sleep on 9th August 1938 at his home in Ayouton Road, Pollokshields, Glasgow. The licensed trade in the west of Scotland lost a valued member and a very good friend. He achieved very much in his early days in the trade in such a short period in time. His wife died two years previous and left a family of 2 sons and 5 daughters. He was laid to rest in Eastwood Cemetery. Hundreds of mourners lined the street to past respect on one of the best known members in the trade. During his life he was a member of various societies including nearly twenty years as director of the Scottish Licenses Mutual Insurance Association Ltd. A J.P. for Glasgow.

The annual staff dance of the One-O-One restaurant, Hope Street, Glasgow took place in the Cadoro restaurant, Union Street in 1954. Left to right front row… Mrs Edna Milne; Mr C Reynolds (manager),; Mrs Reynolds; Mrs Mary Milne (proprietress); Mr Milne and Mr Forbes Clark. Amongst others in the image are A Mr M McLean (accountant and organiser of the dance); Miss Elspeth Milne; Mr Robert Eadie; Mrs Eadie; Mr J Maitland Mackie (James Buchanan & Co Ltd); Mrs Mackie; Messrs D Baxter and W R Mort (William Younger & Co Ltd); and Mr Forbes Clark. The One-O-One restaurant was an extension of the Blythswood Bar which was next door to the bar.

Various members of the Thistle Burns Club at a recent Burn’s supper. Left to right… Messrs Gordon; M Ross (director William Grant & son’s Ltd); Robert Eadie (Station Bar); A E Kilgore (Cantrell & Cochrane Ltd); A K Hardie (vice-president of the Royalty Burns Club); Walter Myron (Sloan’s); and president of the Thistle Burns Club); W G R Wright (sales manager Wm Grant & Sons Ltd); G Grier (president of the Royalty Burns Club) and Roy Forrester (vice-president Thistle Burns Club.)

Mr Robert Webster Bruce Eadie, licensee of the Station Bar, Eglinton Street. 1957.

Robert W B Eadie owned a pub on the Gallowgate for over ten years, many will remember this old pub as the White Elephant.

The White Elephant, 338 Gallowgate.

Pictured here at the annual Burns night of the Thistle Burns Club, Glasgow 1957.

Left to right Mr Williamson, manager of the Locarno Club; S W Briginshaw, manager of the Piccadilly Club; Walter Myron, of Sloan’s restaurant; Gordon M Ross director of William Grant & Sons Ltd; A Crawford of William, Grant & Sons Ltd; G Hunter, president of the Thistle Burns Club; A K Hardie, president of the Royalty Burns Club; R McLean, of the St. Mungo Vintners Ltd; R W B Eadie, vice-president of the Thistle Burns Club; and Mr J C Maitland, licensee in Howard Street, Glasgow.

The Provost Opens the Ardeer Tavern. 1960.

Mrs M Milne, the licence-holder, and her son Mr John E Milne look on as Provost J Forbe declares the new Ardeer Tavern open.

A handsome and spacious new tavern was opened at Ardeer Crescent, Ardeer, Stevenson, when the directors of Ardeer Tavern Ltd, in association with M Milne Ltd, were hosts to about 40 guests. The new tavern was adjacent to the former public house premises which had been opened in 1861 and which the late Mr John Eadie had been associated for about 50 years he was succeeded there by his son also John Eadie and by the latter’s sister, Mrs M Milne, who no held the licence for the new premises. Her son John E Milne, welcomed the company at the opening ceremony. He extended a special welcome to Mr William Henderson, the family’s oldest customer, his custom dated back to 1896 when the Eadie family had premises in Miller Street, Glasgow and to Mr Peter MacDonald, who had been a friend of Mr Milne’s grandfather.

The opening ceremony was performed by Provost Homes Forbe, chairman of the Ayrshire Northern District Licensing Courts. The premises consisted of a lounge bar, public bar and an off-sales department formerly called the family department. The lounge bar, in addition having an adjoining entrance from the public bar, has a separate entrance from the street. The colour scheme in both bars is attractive.

In the lounge a fitted carpet in various colours and pale helio walls and a lilac ceiling present a pleasing effect. Flanking the walnut and peach mirror gantry are mural paintings in French design. Dove grey and citron yellow formica are used effectively in the bar counter, the front of which is finished in walnut and sycamore. The tables are also topped in citron yellow and dove grey formica. This spacious lounge is amply provided with comfortable seating in powder blue, dove grey and Spanish red leather.

A mural of the Cottar’s Saturday Night and a gantry peach mirror depicting Burn’s Cottage as it formerly was, are notable features of the public bar. Over the bar itself is an illuminated turquoise canopy. The decorative floor has random tiles in red, blue and biscuit colour. There is Spanish red leather seating, above which are grey walls and a primrose ceiling.

Another pub was opened in 1961 called the Amphora in Sauchiehall Street, managing director of R W Cairns, John Milne opened the new venture. The Amphora, was in fact, a resuscitation of the Cairns House which until the previous year, was so popular a feature at the corner of Buchanan Street and St. Vincent Place. To see interior views of the Amphora and what other names it had click here.

R W Cairns. Sat at the corner of 130 Buchanan Street and St. Vincent Place. circa 1900.

Another view of R W Cairns, 130 Buchanan Street, also known as the Cairns House. These old premises were demolished in 1960.

At the opening of the Grangeknowe Inn, Stevenson in 1964, were Mr John Eadie Milne (left), managing director of the proprietor R W Cairns Ltd and Provost James Clements of Stevenson who performed the opening ceremony. These premises were opened in the summer of 1964. Note the name Grangeknowe was the name of the family home.

Exterior view of the Millwheel Bar in Bridge of Weir 1968.

The commercial Inn, Bridge of Weir was bought by R W Cairns Ltd around 1966, it had an overhaul, and a new name ” The Millwheel.” The new lounge bar, named the Grist Mill, meaning 6 Sheaves of Corn has been built on the site of an old cottage. The lounge could hold some 100 people. The interior was white washed walls, a grain chute and sacks of corn set into the frontage of the bar. The lighting, in keeping with the general mood, has replicas of old barn lights. , storm lights and metal chandeliers.The lounge bar has one other unusual feature, it will serve three types of draught beer, heavy, Guinness and lager.

The public bar of the Millwheel remains much the same except for a slight extension, but will benefit from the new central heating system installed. In the public bar, there is the last remaining chair of a set of Jacobean chairs from the original Inn. This one dates 1677.

Manager of “Millwheel” was Mr J McAllister, his wife is seen pouring a pint of Tennents lager. 1968.

In the same year another establishment was opened by R W Cairns, the Railway Inn, Busby.

The newly renovated Railway Inn in Busby has a bar with a difference. First granted a licence in 1820, the Inn was taken over in 1965 by R W Cairns, who together with their architect have now completely rebuilt the public bar in first class railway style. Inside, the historic atmosphere has been preserved, many interesting and exciting relics of the railway are set against a pleasant relaxing background. Some parts have kindly been donated by Mr A Stewart of Alex. D. Stewart, Metal Merchants, Shieldhall Works. Keeping in the railway trend, the ceiling is dark oak slatted to give a tunnel like effect.. In contrast the gantry was a full side section of a goods wagon painted in brilliant orange with dark wood cross beams. Another wall was covered with Ballachulish slates, a restful setting of tan coloured chairs and rust carpet, all complimented by lighting which had been cleverly arranged by using original carriage and engine lamps.

Many other fascinating railway souvenirs were incorporated including buffers, sleepers and the plaque from the engine used recently to commemorate the 21st birthday of East Kilbride which coincided with the centenary of the first train to run from Busby to East Kilbride by the Caledonian Railway Company.

A number of trade personalities are seen in this group, pictured on the occasion of the annual Burns Supper of the Thistle Burns Club in the Grosvenor Restaurant, Glasgow, 1962. Left to right in the front row are J K Webster, (Royalty Burns Club) his premises were at 27 Norfolk Street; D A Maclean, (president of the Royalty Burns Club); A M Loudon, (president Thistle Club); R W B Eadie, (past president Thistle Club); J Young, (secretary Thistle Club); J H Wylie, (vice-president Royalty Club) of Booth’s Gin. The group also included D Mclean, St. Mungo Vintners; M Haxton, (past president Royalty Club) he had the Montgomery Arms Bar Hotel, East Kilbride; A McAulay, (Royalty Burns Club) he had bar 69, Govan Road; R Meiklem, (Royalty Club); J McAulay, (Royalty Club) Carmunnock; A E Kilgore of Cantrell and Cochrane; Councillor W Cockburn, (Royalty Club); J McIntosh, (secretary Royalty Club) of G & C Moore Ltd.

In this group at the “Ben” dinner 1972. Left to right Mr K Kalm (Carlsberg, Copenhagen); J S W Mercer (Ind Coope); Mr Sherriff; A A MacDonald; C M F Ewing (president of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association); P E G Balfour (Scottish and Newcastle); J E Milne (vice-president of the Benevolent Institution.)

In the centre is Mr John E Milne with J M Martin (White Horse Distillery) and J R B Kean (Scottish and Newcastle Breweries). Image taken during the presentation of Alexander M Don as new president of the Scottish Wine and Spirit Merchants Benevolent Institution in 1971.

Mr John T C Eadie. 1923.

Mr John T C Eadie was the second son of James Eadie of Barrow Hall, Derby, the founder of the firm of Messrs James Eadie Ltd, Brewery, Burton-on-Trent. Mr John T C Eadie was a director in the firm and was in his 62nd year when he died in 1923. The brewing trade and agriculture had lost a distinguished figure, he was a member in the council of the premier administrative body. The Royal Agricultural Society of England. Mr Eadie occupied a high position and he had officiated as a judge at the great national meetings, particularly of Shire Horses. John T C Eadie was a cousin of John Eadie.

In 1891 Cairns Bar in Miller Street was described as one of the most comfortable and best equipped bars in the city of Glasgow. On a Saturday night or indeed, any night of the week except that of the first day of the week, the scene here is a singularly lively one, and presents aspects not observable in any of our first-class establishments. The spacious room behind the bar, where every newspaper of any note lies in profusion on the tables and on the racks, is a model of completeness. The guest toucher, without rising from his seat, an electric button, and the waiter turns up with a punctuality that is suggestive of automats. Although the room is not a free-and-easy, still it possesses features which surpass any free-and-easy that we ever visited. The staff of waiters is exceptionally smart, and civility is one of the cardinal virtues which Mr Cairns not only insists upon in his staff but in those who patronise him. The best whiskies and richest beers are always to be had here.

Special Thanks to Andrew Eadie “Good Luck with your Essay”

Facts…

See other Glenleven Bars CLICK HERE.

Other useful information…

R W Cairns opened new offices and a new public bar and lounge- restaurant at 74 Kirkintilloch Road, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow. which still stands today and is known as the Briggs Bar. Tel: 0141 762-2288.

In the early part of John Milne’s period as chairman of the Eadie-Cairns Group as it was then known, was a time of rapid expansion. Apart from the pubs they dealt in off-sales, wholesales, distribution, whisky distilling and exporting, including the acquisition of the Auchentoshan Distillery in 1969.

In 1948 the company underwent a series of changes- the company name changed back to R W Cairns Ltd and some of the assets were sold to Stanley P Morrison Ltd, Alloa Breweries Ltd and Victoria Wines Ltd.

In 1990 the slimmed down version of the company moved its headquarters from the city of Glasgow and built new offices and a large pub in Bishopbriggs.

John E Milne died in 1974, his widow Mrs Jean Milne was left to run a business she had little experience of, her son Mr James Willis stepped in to improve the business, he still runs the empire today.

The family business also owned the well-known Kirkhouse Inn, Strathblane.

Cairns Scotch whisky “Eadie Cairns” is a 12 year old Royal Memorial, Deluxe Blended Whisky.

Off-sales were opened in Waterloo Street, Glasgow.

R W Cairns lived at Cairnbank, New Killpatrick in 1881.

Alexander B Cairns lived at 14 Matilda Terrace, Strathbungo before moving to 15 Nithsdale Road, Strathbungo in 1897.

His brother David Cairns lived at 22 Arlington Street before moving to 14 Wilton Mansions, Glasgow. in 1897.

In 1897 Robert Cairns and his son Robert jun., were Commission Agents at 12 Miller Street, Glasgow, they lived at 88 Dixon Avenue, Glasgow in the southside of the city.

There were also an Eadie family living and working in Cambuslang. They owned the Tavern on Main Street. William Eadie was the proprietor for many years.

*In 1863 there was a Mr Robert Eadie trading as a wine & spirit merchant at 498 Gallowgate he may have been a relative. There was also a Robert Trading at 962 Pollokshaws Road in the southside of the city in 1893.

Do you remember any of the pubs or publicans above? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Cot Bar.

April 6, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

798 London Road, Glasgow. G40. Demolished.

The Cot Bar. 1964.

The Cot Bar was situated at the corner of London Road and Queen Mary Street. This old London Road howff was established in 1869 by east end spirit merchant James Barr.

To read more on the history of the Barr family please check back soon for our second book.

In 1888 David Auchterlonie acquired the licence. David was born in Kirkcaldy and moved to Glasgow with his parents in 1871, where he received his education. He did not intend to enter the spirit trade as he trained to be a civil engineer, but he never stuck to this occupation for long. For three years he sailed on board ships sailing from Glasgow and trading among the Australian Colonies, he gained a great knowledge of the sea and seeing some of the great Indian seaport on his way.

Mr David Auchterlonie. 1897.

Returning to Glasgow, David left the seafaring life for good and joined the staff in the wholesale trade with Messrs. Nicol Anderson & Co., St. Enoch Square but soon drifted into his father’s retail business, a public house at 222 New Dalmarnock Road, this old pub became known as the Prince of Wales.

His father William was in failing health and David came into the business to render assistance in his father pubs which then consisted of New Dalmarnock Road, London Road and Broad Street, he ultimately became licence holder for both pubs at London Road and Broad Street. His father died shortly afterwards. Jessie Auchterlonie continued a licensee of the pub on New Dalmarnock Road until 1926.

David Auchterlonie became heavily involved in the defence industry and was Convener of the Bridgeton Division of the Glasgow Licensed Trade Defence Association, he was also associated with the Scottish Wine and Spirit Merchants Benevolent Institution and a member of the Eastern Merchants. In his spare time he played bowls at the Cambuslang Club near to his residence at Cadzow Drive, and was a free mason of lodge St. Mungo No. 27. The London Road premises were sold to John McDonald in 1910, Mr McDonald continued as licence holder a few years before WW2.

During the war Thomas Clarkson ran this popular east end pub which was now known as the Cot Bar. The last licensee to hold the certificate was John Graham, he continued to serve the locals here until the pub was forced to close as a result of the building being unsafe and was due to be demolished a few years later by the City Council.

Facts…

Licence Holders.

1962-1950 John Graham.

1948-1940 Thomas Clarkson.

1938 Mr P McPherson.

1936-1910 John McDonald.

1909-1898 David Auchterlonie.

1898-1888 William Auchterlonie.

1887-1869 James Barr.

Do you remember this old Pub? If so please leave a comment.

END.

Commercial Vaults.

April 6, 2017 by John Gorevan 2 Comments

498 Springburn Road corner of 2 Blenheim Street, Glasgow. G21. Demolished.

Image of Mr William Anderson of the Commercial Bar 498 Springburn Road 1894 — Mr William Anderson. 1894.

Mr William Anderson was born in Stirlingshire, his father was an ardent Radical of the old school. When young William was 17 years of age he decided to go to Glasgow in search of a busier life. His first job was in the building trade, he helped to build many of Glasgow’s old tenements. He went into purchasing property in Glasgow, Stirling, Renfrew and Lanarkshire. He lived in a lovely mansion house in Birnam, Dunkeld. He undertook the building of the gigantic structures of dwelling-houses and shops on the north side of the Gallowgate, Glasgow, east of the Union Railway bridge. He got so far with its erection that his trade mark- a ship representing commerce – and his monogram were stamped on it; but the ground had been bought at too high a figure and the City of Glasgow Bank disaster added difficulties, his hitherto uninterrupted prosperity received a check. The blow was severe. Yet he managed to struggle through the trial, and returned with his wonted spirit to the trade from which he had retired in 1871.

When first in the Trade he held several licenses, mostly in the Gallowgate district. He once carried on a spirit business in Buchanan Street, and for a license in Seymour Street, New City Road, he conquered the teetotalers in the Magistrates’ Court, but the Confirmation Court failed him. He had been in Springburn since 1886, and his Commercial Bar there was an ideal fitted up shop in polished mahogany and shining mirrors, with horse-shoe counter, and the latest scientific improvements in the shape of telephonic communication to his house and the city.

Image of an Advert for the Commercial blend of Fine Old Whiskies at the Commercial Bar Springburn Road 1894 — Advert for Anderson’s Whisky.

The “Commercial” Blend of Fine Old Whiskies. This was William Anderson’s trade mark like the one’s he had on his tenement buildings.

William Anderson was a Mason for well over 28 years and a member of a number of lodges and identified with Lodge St. John, in which he held office, and the Royal Arch (Cathedral Chapter,) of which he was treasurer. He was the father of past president of the Eastern Merchants and Tradesmen’s Society (similar to the Anderston Weavers,) which he founded with only a few friends in 1877, of which in 1894 had eleven hundred members, with £3000 of funds a huge amount of money in those days. He was for four years president of the Sir Colin Campbell Curling Club, whose case of prize medals he assisted in securing, and, like so many other gentlemen connected with the Trade, he evinces a lively feeling in bowling. He was also president of the St. Rollox Bowling Club, to which in 1889 he gifted a handsome silver cup, played for at the annual rink matches.

Mr Anderson entered into the Trade in 1863, for he was builder and licence-holder at one and the same time. He was an enthusiastic member of the Defence Association. He joined the Glasgow Association and became a member of the Benevolent. When the city was divided into Parliamentary divisions he was elected a convener, and when, after they had lapsed, and the district associations were re-formed, he was a second time made convener. In 1894 he sat at the Central Board as a director, elected at the annual meeting of the Association. In Springburn he was in the Trade’s guide, philosopher, and friend. He was an old Parliamentary hand at subscriptions and did good service in the Special Defence Fund with Mr Gilliland, whom he had, with effect, coached in many Trade matters. To his exertions licensed grocers of his division were members of the Association and had subscribed to the Special Fund.

Mr William Anderson established the Commercial Vaults which sat at the corner of Springburn Road and Blenheim Street in 1886. William lived at Eastfield Lodge, Springburn before moving to Clifton Villa, Broomfield Road in the 1890s.

When Mr Anderson died in 1913 the license was transferred to his son Robert Anderson, the following year he had Robert D Paton run the pub for him who then became the license holder. This was probably due to the fact that young Robert went to fight for his country. In 1935 Robert Watson was licensee, the pub was then still owned by the Anderson family. Mr Watson continued to run the pub until the 1950s.

Do you remember George B Graham who ran the pub in 1960-70 or Donald R C Dunlop who became licensee in 1972. The pub closed late 1970s and was demolished shortly afterwards.

Do you remember this old Pub? If so please leave a comment.

END.

The Auld Hoose.

April 6, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

91 Westmuir Street, Parkhead, Glasgow.

David Anderson’s Auld Hoose. Circa 1910.

In 1892 the proprietor was Mr David Anderson, the pub was then called the Auld House. Mr Anderson collected antiquarian curios and fixed them on the walls in the bar. Over the years the place became cluttered with unusual things of interest, including a sea horse from the shores of the north of Iceland, in a grand glass, a fin of a whale captured in Rothesay Bay, a four week old crocodile from the eastern empire, the tusks of rhinoceros, antlers and the handle of one of the carriages in the ill-fated Tay bridge accident. Both the interior and exterior had an ancient look about it.

Mr Anderson was a heavy smoker in his time, his wife always said that at night-time he would go outside for a smoke and would not come back in until 11 o’clock. Mr Anderson died in 1919 at his residence the Brae, Springboig and left an estate of £6753.

END.

In the NEWS 1978

April 6, 2017 by John Gorevan Leave a Comment

Glasgow’s City Slickers.

City Slickers…

Exiles from Glasgow are usually amazed at the massive changes the city has undergone when they return after a long absence. But one of the biggest changes they see is the Glaswegian night life. Gone are the days when a few drinks in a dingy local, followed by a fish supper on the way home, was considered a night out.

Cheap package holidays to the fun loving Continent have shown Mr and Mrs Glasgow what letting their hair down is really all about. Now, thanks to the inventiveness, flair and sheer determination of a number of enterprising businessmen who have spotted a huge potential market for night-time entertainment in Glasgow, they have an exciting and ever-expanding choice of places to wine, dine, dance and have a good time.

This week it was announced that the owner of one of the city’s new look eating houses, the Ad-Lib in Hope Street, has sold out and will be ploughing cash back into a glittering new night-club complex.

Here we talk to just some of the men who have helped in recent years to build Glasgow up into what many entrepreneurs believe will eventually become one of Europe’s top cities for night life.

The Men Who Have Brightened Up Glasgow’s Night Life……..

“The Potential Was There…” When Eddie Topalian wanted to open a business in Britain, he toured the country and found that there was no middle-of-the-road place in Glasgow for the average man in the street to dine in.

There were, as he put it, plenty of “shabby” establishments and a few very expensive places, but nowhere in between. “I knew the city had potential,” he said. “I was also told that the people didn’t have the money to spend anyway, but I have since proved them wrong.”

PROPHECY

Eddie’s success story began when he opened the Ad-Lib hamburger restaurant in Hope Street in 1974. A new concept in eating out, with its interesting American menu, Glaswegians quickly latched on to it.

This week Eddie sold the establishment for an undisclosed sum reported to be a Scottish record for a place of its size. He now plans to pour it all into the creation of a nightclub complex just off Buchanan Street. The precise details of the venture he is yet prepard to reveal, but he says, “When it does open, there will be nothing like it in Scotland, or maybe even in London.”

Mr Eddie Toplian.

Armenian-born Eddie, an ex-medical student, added, “I have made a prophecy, and I’m still sticking to it, that when the licensing laws change completely in this country, Glasgow will be one of the major centres of entertainment in Europe. “And if no one else does it, then I’II make damn sure that I do.”

THE MEN WHO STARTED IT ALL…

Few people have done more to influence the night-time leisure activities of Glaswegians and Scots in general than Reo Stakis.

Since opening his first Scottish restaurant in Glasgow 25 years ago, he has built up his empire to an impressive list of 40 restaurants, 23 hotels, and six casino, most of them in Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

Mr Reo Stakis, 1978.

Said a spokesman for the Stakis organisation, “He saw a great gap in the leisure activities available to the public in Glasgow, and has since revolutionized the eating-out habits of the Scot.

“A man taking his wife or girl-friend out for a meal knows what he is going to pay for it, and that he will get good value for money. “And when he opened his casinos he saw them not so much as hard gambling establishments, but as family places where people, instead of going home when everything closed at 10.30 p.m., could go for a meal, or a snack, and a flutter on the tables.

“He found that the Glaswegian most definitely does not mind paying for something as long as he knows he is getting value for money.” Apart from the glitter of his three Glasgow casinos, the Chavalier in Buchanan Street, the Regency in Waterloo Street, and the Princes in Sauchiehall Street, Stakis could perhaps be credited with bringing entertainment into pubs.

Now an accepted feature of many pubs throughout the country, Stakis introduced casual entertainment into his pubs about a decade ago.

PLENTY OF BIG SPENDERS…

Italian restaurateur Mario Romano has witnessed a remarkable change in his Glaswegian customers over the last decade. “Fifteen years ago they knew what a plate of spaghetti was, and that was about it, he says, hands waving in the air in typical Latin gesture.

“But now he knows exactly what he wants, and can choose a good wine to go with it.” Mario should know, he owns the exclusive Ambassador restaurant in Blythswood Square, O’ Sole Mio in Bath Street and the plush Campsie Glen hotel near Lennoxtown.

Mr Mario Romano.

“A lot of things can still be done to improve night life in Glasgow,” said Mario, who comes from Naples, “But it will come gradually. You can’t give too much all at once. “But it is getting better. When I came here in 1961, you could count the number of restaurants on one hand.

“And the Glaswegian is a big spender, as long as he doesn’t make a fuss if he is not happy with a meal, he just asks quietly for it to be changed.”

NOT EVERY NIGHT IS CHRISTMAS EVE…

Businessman Teri Alvis was ashamed of Glasgow when he attempted to entertain clients in the city. There was, he says, simply nothing to do.

After years of globetrotting, during which he visited some of the world’s top nightspots he decided to try and brighten up evening leisure time for Glaswegians. “when you come out of your house in the morning in Glasgow,” said Mr Alvis, “it is so grey.

Mr Teri Alvis, 1978.

“I decided I wanted to open a restaurant. But I didn’t want it to be just a restaurant. I wanted it to be a place where every night is Christmas Eve.” So he opened Blazes’ in North Street. Now visitors to the restaurant can enjoy good food, giggle over the nicely naughty cocktail menu from His Bunny Bar where the drinks are served by gorgeous Bunny Girls, have their fortunes told by a real gipsy palmist take part in boisterous yard-of-ale drinking competitions, and listen to top cabaret.

THE DEAD CITY HAS COME ALIVE…

Mr Gino Romano, 1978.

Gino Romano, Mario’s younger brother, had a nickname for Glasgow when he first arrived in the city from Naples… La Tomba Dei, which means “the tomb of the living people.”

“I have seen a lot of places in the world, but Glasgow was unbelievable,” he explained. “The city was dead but the people in it were alive.

“Thankfully, in the last few years this has changed a lot. The new licensing laws have helped and life has become much faster in the city.”

Now Gino has taken over the Ad-Lib restaurant in Hope Street from Eddie Topalian, and will start managing it later this month. He also owns the Spaghetti House in Sauchiehall Street, which he started with his brother three years ago.

“The Glaswegian is very adventurous and very adaptable to new things,” he went on. “If he goes to a pub, he will tend to get drunk but if he goes to a place where the atmosphere is different, he will fit in very well.

“I think that in about four or five years, Glasgow will become like a small London.”

24 All-day Drinks Licences Granted.

In the NEWS 1978.

24 All-day Drinks Licences Granted…

Glasgow Licensing Court have so far granted more than 20 applications for afternoon extensions in licensing hours, but have stuck rigidly to their earlier decision that afternoon opening should end on September 30.

The board consider that openings should only take place during the tourist season. At the start of today’s licensing board meeting in Govan Town Hall, a representative of Chief Constable Patrick Hamill reminded board members that in March the police objected to the large number of extensions to the licensing hours because they did not meet with the criteria laid down in the new Licensing Act.

The board were told that the chief constable did not intend to make individual objections to the current list of applications. But he told the board that the police still considered many of the applications being considered today did not meet the necessary criteria.

A total of 89 public houses and private clubs have applied for afternoon extensions on at least one day of the week. And 37 applications for Sunday opening have been lodged.

The Ingram Hotel was granted an afternoon extension, but only until the end of September. It was one of two hotels granted extensions today, the other being The Royal Hotel in Sauchiehall Street.

The public houses which gained extensions from 2.30 p.m. until 5.0 p.m. were: The Bell Geordie, Bell Street; the Red Parrot, Buchanan Street; Granny Black’s, Candleriggs; Waves, Custom House Quay Gardens, and the Vale of Leven Bar, Dundas Street.

Three bars in Gallowgate gained extensions, MacKinnon’s Bar, Baird’s Bar, and Betty’s Bar. Other public houses which gained extensions were, The Rooster, Glassford Street; Corn Exchange, Gordon Street; Denholm’s Bar, Hope Street; Gershwin’s, Hope Street; Imperial Bar, Howard Street; New Hampden Bar, London Road; Braemar, London Road; Virginian, Miller Street; Quarter Gill, Oswald Street; Crammond Bar, Queen Street; Ferrari, Sauchiehall Street; Rogano, Exchange Place; and Wee Squirrel, Stevenson Street.

THEATRE

MacArthur’s Restaurant in Custom House Quay Gardens was granted an extension until 2 a.m. Licensing board chairman Baillie Philip O’Rourke said the application by Gershwin’s for an afternoon extension had been granted but the board were divided on the late evening opening. They voted 6-4 in favour of the late extension.

The owners of the Theatre Royal had told the board they would lose business if Gershwin’s, which is across the road, was allowed to open in the afternoon. And they claimed old people and children attending matinees would be disturbed.

A solicitor for the theatre said the situation of the pub did not come under the section of the Act which covers afternoon opening.

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In the NEWS January 1978…

All-DAY DRINKS CHEERS PUBLICANS…

Drinking habits in Glasgow could be revolutionised in the near future… following yesterday’s Licensing Board decision to allow one pub to remain open throughout the day.

For many publicans intend to apply for all-day opening licences, and they will be using, the case of former boxing champion Peter Keenan as a precedent.

Mr Keenan was the only one of 17 applicants to be granted the special licence yesterday. His pub will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday with normal drinking hours the rest of the week.

Bailie Philip O’Rourke, chairman of the Board, said today, “I voted against the Keenan application because I believe we have to remain consistent and we had already turned down a number of similar applications.

APPEAL

“The next meeting of the Board is in March and I expect that there will be a number of publicans reapplying.” Today at Glasgow Sheriff Court an appeal was being held against a decision by the Board to refuse The Whistle Bar in West Campbell Street the special licence.

And at the Off The Record bar 100 yards from Peter Keenan’s pub a spokesman said, “If Peter can get the licence, I see no reason why we shouldn’t.

“We cater for the same workers who are on shifts. It is very likely we will be making an application at the next sitting of the Licensing Board.”

SESSIONS

Brewers Tennent Caledonian have yet to make a decision on weather or not to apply for the all-day licence for their scores of managed houses.

“We would first have to negotiate with our bar staff,” said a spokesman, “before making any application.” Meanwhile Licensing Board member Bailie Frank Hannigan wants radical changes in the operation of the board, Mr Hannigan wants the sessions held at night and in shorter terms.

He said: “I don’t like catering too much for lawyers and publicans, we all have other things to do. “It may be OK for lawyers to pick up £300 for a day’s work but it is not what I joined the council for.”

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In the NEWS February 1978…

CITY BID FOR ALL_DAY DRINKS…

Glasgow’s city centre could become a drinkers’ paradise with pubs open throughout the day.

That’s the proposal the city’s Licensing Board are considering today.

An SNP and a Labour member have combined to suggest that instead of closing down between 2.30 and 5 p.m. pubs in the centre should stay open right through until 11 p.m.

The only proviso they are suggesting is that it should apply only in the summer. Nationalist Councillor Stewart Ewing, who is putting forward the proposal said the city needs uniformity in its present drinking hours.

He said before the meeting, “It is confusing to the public that public houses such as Peter Keenan’s in the Broomielaw is open during the day yet others aren’t.

Our proposal would allow for all pubs in the city centre to remain open if they wish.” Mr Ewing is backing in his demand by Labour councillor Bob Innes.

The proposal was discussed at a licensing Board meeting in the City Chambers today. Mr Ewing added, “The new licensing laws allow for a more liberal attitude towards drinking hours and we feel that it is time for Glasgow to take advantage of it.”

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In the NEWS 1978…

Clamp Down On All Day Drinking…

Afternoon opening in hundreds of Scottish pubs may come to an end—- except for specific occasions.

For the Scottish Office is now considering the circumstances under which afternoon opening has been granted in various areas.

Yesterday Glasgow District Licensing Board granted a further 24 all-day drink licences. And 156 applications are before the next sitting in Edinburgh later this month.

Scots Under-Secretary Harry Ewing asked all 19 licensing boards in Scotland to tell him how many afternoon applications have been made— and in what circumstances they were granted.

Today the Scottish Office confirmed— “Mr Ewing is considering the replies.”

I understand that next month, a guidance note will go out to all licensing authorities over the controversial Section 64 (3) clause in the Scotland (Licensing) Act of 1976.

Mr Ewing can hardly tell authorities they are misinterpreting the Act— for he himself put it on the statute book.

But it seems likely that the Scottish Office will take the same view as Strathclyde Chief Constable Patrick Hamill— that the cause did not mean overall afternoon drinking.

Mr Hamill has consistently objected to afternoon licence at Glasgow District Licensing Court, which was continuing today at Govan Town Hall.

The clause allows for the granting of a licence in “social circumstances” and where there is “activity locally.”

Police forces and licensing authorities have fallen out over the wording, and finally the Government will have to step in with advice over what it really means.

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In the NEWS 1978…

Public Houses Private Reasons…

Glasgow’s licensing board has given the go-ahead to all-day drinking in 17 pubs.

And left behind it a record of apparent inconsistencies.

Some pubs which seemed to differ in no respect from those successful in getting extensions found themselves turned down.

The lawyer for one rejected applicant said, “There is no rhyme or reason to it Everything depends on the whim of the bench.”

Even the Chief Constable demonstrated inconsistency. His representative said, “The law is meant to provide for particular social circumstances or activities in the locality. Markets and tourism clearly are within the needs to the area.” But he lodged objections against EVERY pub applying for an afternoon extension.

And two pubs were objected to by the Environmental Health Department because their standards of hygiene were not high enough. Surly they are either high enough to be open at all, or low enough to be closed?

If the idea of the licensing laws is to consider drinking as a public service, surely it would be a service for the board to make public the reasons for their decisions as they are announced. Then they might be seen to be based on common sense rather than individual whims.

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PUB OWNER CAN’T TOT UP RULING…

NO Mrs Liz Wright in the empty Whistle Bar, West Campbell Street.

Baffled! That’s Liz Wright a city centre publican. She painted the pub kitchen, put in new staff toilets, fitted new doors to the customers’ toilets, and painted both toilets.

Yet her pub, the Whistle Lounge Bar in the city centre, was refused an all-day licence.

It was her second application and she thought that the pub in West Campbell Street was certain to get an extension.

She was one of the several city publicans who got the thumbs down by the Glasgow Licensing Board. A bitterly disappointed Mrs Wright said, “I can’t understand why other pubs like Peter Keenan’s Stable Bar and the Saracen Head, which are not in the centre of town, have been given the all-day licences.

“We had a petition of 200 names from our customers. We have 1500 people in offices within a radius of 300 yards. “We already do 400 meals a day and could do as many as people wanted.

YES the Jamaica Inn (above) in the City Centre, and the Square Peg (below), St Enoch Square.

We are a businessman’s pub and a lot of them have varied lunch times.” The Corn Exchange in Gordon Street was another of the pubs mystified by the board’s refusal.

The area manager Mr John Campbell for Drybrough’s, who own it, said, “We recently spent £6000 redecorating the public bar. “I would say that it is one of the cleanest pubs in the city centre and is run by a most conscientious manager. We are right next to the Central Station where people come and go all day.”

STANDARD

Bailie Philip O’Rourke, the chairman of the Licensing Board, said: “Pubs that were not granted a licence did not come up to the criteria that has been laid down.”

YES the Arran Lounge, one of three bars in Central Station.

NO the Corn Exchange, Gordon Street, £600 spent on decorating.

But he refused to expand on that, explaining that if anybody wanted to find out why they had been refused they should write to the clerk of the court. He added: “A publican should make sure that everything is up to standard. Let’s put it like that.”

CONCERNED

Well why should a pub hold an ordinary licence and yet be found to be sub-standard when applying for an all-day licence? Is it judged up to standard until 2.30 p.m. and then sub-standard from then until 5 p.m.?

Mr O’Rourke said, “The point you make is very pertinent. I would say that in general the board are very concerned about the number of sub-standard pubs.”

SURPRISED

Liz Wright, of the Whistle Lounge Bar, said: “I was the first person to apply for an all-day licence. I was turned down. I appealed and failed in the appeal. “Then we did up the pub, but the health inspectors never came back to inspect it. We will apply again.”

And so will the Corn Exchange. Mr Eric Ridehalgh secretary of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said he was “most surprised” that some of the applications were refused on environmental health grounds.

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In the NEWS 1978…

Dirty All-Day Pubs Slammed…

Glasgow’s pubs have become dirtier since the go-ahead was given for all-day opening, says Strathclyde’s Chief Constable Pat Hamill.

Police chief Hamill says in his report to Glasgow Licensing Board, which meets tomorrow to consider granting more 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. licences, that drinkers are heading for “all-afternoon” pubs just before the normal closing time of 2.30 p.m.

He claims, “In many instances this had led to a decline in the standard of cleanliness in that counters and tables are becoming littered with empty glasses and over-full ashtrays.”

And the tourists, who, it was claimed, would use them most, are not, after all, stopping off at the city’s watering holes. In some premises, he reports, owners are not using the facility to its fullest extent to allow staff some time to clean and refresh the premises.

“There is little evidence that the public houses are being frequented by tourists…”

But his view were questioned today by Roy Grier, president of the Strathclyde Licensed Trade Association. “I don’t fully understand, unless he means that pubs should close for a “cleaning up break.” But it’s difficult to have both, to stay open all day and have people sweeping the floors or something like that.

“It’s also difficult to tell if tourists are using the pubs or not. After all, Glasgow isn’t exactly a tourist place.

“It all come back to the need in the locality and the social circumstances, I would have thought afternoon shoppers would have been more appropriate than tourists.

“But each licensing board is entitled to find this out for itself.” Charles Horsburgh, deputy clerk to Glasgow’s licensing board, said today, “The chief constable’s view will come up at tomorrow’s committee meeting, but I can make no comment until they have discussed them.”

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In the NEWS 1978…

POLICE CHIEF BACKING MILLAN ON PUBS…

Cheers! And the man raising his glass of MILK is Bailie Philip O’Rourke, chairman of Glasgow’s Licensing Board. For Bailie O’Rourke, he is a teetotaller, could be the toast of Glasgow today. He sat down at 9 o’clock this morning to hear the first of a total of 174 applications for extensions of permitted hours, the all-day licence.

The last time the board sat they were into the wee sma’ hours for three days considering applications. That pinta might just come in handy for the bailie as another marathon session begins.

————–

Strathclyde’s Chief Constable Patrick Hamill, today backed Scottish Secretary Bruce Millan’s guidance on all-day drinking.

And the police had “no comment” to make when the first of 174 applications of all-day drinking came before Glasgow Licensing Board.

Mr Hamill, whose representative objected to applications at the last sitting, is following the line that Mr Millan took last week that there is concern about the number of all-day licences, but it is up to the individual boards.

And because Glasgow Licensing Board decided at a policy meeting last week to continue their experiment for a further six months of afternoon drinking it looks like a bonanza for city publicans.

Mr Millan’s guidance was issued last week by the Scottish Home and Health Department as circular 30 1978 to the clerks of Scotland’s 58 licensing boards.

He said that a survey had been made of applications granted for the extension “outwith permitted hours.” Today, a representative for Mr Hamill told the board: “On the general principal of afternoon extensions, I am directed by the chief constable to draw your attention to the circular relating to this issue.”

The Glasgow Board will sit for most of the week. Pubs which received the licences included–

Duke of Torraine, 1336-134 Gallowgate; Inglis Inn, 31-33 Easterhouse Road, Grier Brothers, 24 Bogbain Road; Kelly’s Bar, 100 Albion Street; Sloan’s Restaurant, 62 Argyll Arcade; Bubbles, 259 Argyle Street; Duke of Wellington, 316 Argyle Street; Strathduie Bar, 3a-5 Blackfriar Street; Coach Inn, 16 Blythswood Street; Poisedon Restaurant, 18 Bothwell Street; Walkway, 128 Broomielaw; Angus Bar, 24 Brunswick Street; Blue Chip, Buchanan Street; Red Parrot, 234 Buchanan Street; Granny Black’s, 55 Candleriggs, Oxford Tavern, 45 London Road; Vintners, 312 Clyde Street; Spankies Custom House Quay Gardens, Clyde Street; Waves, Custom House Quay Gardens, Clyde Street; Lamppost, 33 Duke Street.

Three Hotels also got the all-day go-ahead, Centre Hotel, Argyle Street; and George Hotel, Buchanan Street.

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In the NEWS 1978…

Mister Micawber’s, the Glasgow brewery-owned pub slammed at yesterday’s licensing board, today banned the public from its lounge bar.

The Argyle Street bar was one of only a handful of pubs refused an all-day licence by the board because it had fallen foul of the Public Health Act on 13 counts.

Health officials complained about faults in the toilets of both the public and lounge bar such as a door lying off its hinges, a leaking cistern, and broken tiles behind the urinals.

But any changes of the public judging for themselves the state of the lounge bar toilets at the Tennent Caledonian pub were thwarted today when management decided not to open the lounge.

Reason given for the sudden closure was “staff shortage.”

Cleaners

]Meanwhile downstairs in the public bar cleaners were busy as the first customers of the day came in to ensure the place was spick and span.

However the effect was spoiled by gang names paint sprayed on the wall outside the gents’ toilet, tiles missing from behind the urinals, and toilet paper holders and towel holders missing.

Despite the 15 counts against Micawber’s, customers pointed out that the toilets were a lot cleaner than many pubs in the city and a least soap and toilet paper were available. Staff said today they had not yet heard from Tennent Caledonian why the pub had been refused an all-day licence.

Delay

Said Mr Aitken, the firm’s commercial manager, “The people who deal with the press and that kind of thing are on holiday.” The start of today’s licensing board meeting was delayed for nearly two hours because the board did not have sufficient members to form a quorum.

After a series of telephone calls to councillors, some of whom were on holiday, a sufficient member was found.

Board chairman Councillor Philip O’;Rourke said, “We deeply regret this delay but it is understandable because of the pressure the board is under. The board are hearing the latest batch of applications for afternoon extensions in city pubs and hotels.

One of today’s applications, from the Sherry Bar at 194 Springburn Road caused “considerable disappointment.”

Councillor O’Rourke said he was concerned and disappointed that the pub had not reached and maintained a proper standard of hygiene.

PUBS with ALL_DAY Opening…

These licences take effect from Friday.

Rogano Restaurant, 11 Exchange Place; McKinnon’s Bar, 48 Gallowgate; Saracen Head, 209 Gallowgate; Baird’s Bar, 224 Gallowgate; Yeland Inn, 251 Gallowgate; Corona Bar, 257 Gallowgate; Cabin Bar, 258 Gallowgate.

Betty’s Bar, 267 Gallowgate; Steps Bar, 62 Glassford Street; Change House, 76 Glassford Street; Caledonian Restaurant, Central Station; Corn Exchange, 88 Gordon Street.

Denholm’s Bar, 17 Hope Street; Blythswood Bar, 91 Hope Street; Reid’s Bar, 201 Hope Street; Gershwin’s, McConnel Building, 325 Hope Street; Upstairs Downstairs, 2 Howard Street.

Imperial Bar, 6 Howard Street; Lorne Bar, 40 Howard Street; Oriental Bar, 11 Hutcheson Street; Ingram Hotel, 201 Ingram Street; Barrowland Bar, 6 Kent Street, PHT Bar, 18 London Road.

New Hampden Bar, 95 London Road; Matador, 260 London Road; Cairn’s Bar, 5-15 Miller Street; Quarter Gill, 42 Oswald Street; Refreshment Rooms, Central Station.

Bank Restaurant, 35 Queen Street; Lang’s Bar, 73 Queen Street; Ingram Bar, 163 Queen Street; Crammond Bar, 155 Queen Street; Whitehall, 59 Renfield Street; J D Wilson, 8 Renfrew Street; Square Peg, 46-48 St Enoch Square.

Robert Graham, 37 Saltmarket; The Savoy, Savoy Centre, Sauchiehall Street; Dino’s, 39 Sauchiehall Street; Lauder’s, 76 Sauchiehall Street; Mrs Sarah McMonagle, 34 Stevenson Street; The Waterloo, 21-23 Waterloo Street; Iron Horse, 115 West Nile Street.

Burns Howff, 56 West Regent Street; Chess Board, 176 West Regent Street; Market Hotel, Graham Street off Gallowgate; Nationalist Bar, 415 London Road; Regent Bar, 577 London Road; Windsor Bar, 607 London Road; Shawfield Bar, 291 Main Street; Tony’s Bar, 148 Old Dalmarnock Road.

Bellevue Bar, 279 Stevenson Street; The Cairn, 135 Balornock Road; Highland Fling, 39 Castairs Road; Fruit Market Catering premises, Blochairn Road; Blochairn Bar, 269 Blochairn Road; The Gimlet, 97 Ruchill Street; The Hurdy Gurdy, 80 Lister Street.

The Possil Bar, 324 Possil Road; The Amphora, 410 Sauchiehall Street; Oceans 11, 468 Sauchiehall Street.

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In the News 1978…

Drinks Act ‘Chaos’: New Rush For Longer Hours…

Scotland’s Licensing Laws are in chaos, it was claimed today, as Glasgow faces its biggest list of applications for extended hours. And the Scottish Licensed Trade Association has called on the Government to issue guidance on the Licensing Act.

A total of 173 pubs, clubs, and hotels in Glasgow will apply at the Licensing Board in Govan Town Hall next month for regular extensions of permitted hours.

Many pubs want to stay open on more afternoons. Some want to extend their closing hour till midnight. Others want earlier opening in the mornings.

WARNING

And eight hotels want to keep their doors open ALL DAY on Sundays.

SLTA secretary Eric Ridehalgh said today: “The Act was never designed for this. In fact we don’t have a Licensing (Scotland) Act of 1976.

“What we have got is a district by district act, and that we never wanted.” And the Scottish Police Federation warned today that Sunday afternoon opening in hotels could mean less time off for policemen.

GUIDANCE

The Licensing Board meets on October 13, but chairman Councillor Phil O’Rourke revealed today that there will be a special meeting before that. He said, “We will have to decide our policy for the extension of licensing hours to the entire city.

“The previous applications granted have in the main been for the city centre.

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In the NEWS 1978…

Sunday pubs warned.

Bailie Philip O’Rourke. 1978.

Let Drinkers know opening hours.

Pub managers who close early on Sundays were strongly criticised today at a meeting of Glasgow District Licensing Court.

Board chairman Bailie Philip O’Rourke said that if a pub manager intended calling for his customers to drink up before the statutory time then he should post an intimation in the pub window.

Bailie O’Rourke said, “Some licence holders who have been granted permission to open on Sundays have not been doing so. “Some have been closing early and this is causing problems with customers who are annoyed that the premises are going to be closed before the statutory time.

“The board appreciates that it is up to the licence holder when his premises open and close for business, but we strongly recommend that where a pub manager doesn’t intend to open for the whole Sunday he should provide a notice indicating when his premises will be open.”

Earlier at the sitting in Govan Town Hall 350 licences for pubs and off-sales were renewed. Ten others were refused and there will be appeals by the owners.

And city publicans planning to open their pubs after midnight on Saturdays may be in for a shock. Mr Charles Horsburgh, depute clerk of Glasgow District Council, said today the board had no power to grant extra time on a Saturday beyond midnight.

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In the NEWS 1979…

It’s All Go For All-Day Drinking…

Glasgow’s Licensing Board today decided as a matter of policy to grant applications for all-day licences in city pubs, provided the publicans come up to standard.

The policy decision was taken ay a meeting of the board today in an attempt to cut by half the number of days it will take them to deal with the massive 1000 applications received for next week’s sitting.

Board chairman Councillor Phil )’Rourke said; Our attitude was coloured by our belief that all-day licensing in the city so far has been a complete success.”

Originally it was thought it might take up to eight days to wade through all the applications. But now the board is confident of completing the sitting in only four days, working no more than eight hours hours a day. The sitting begins next Friday at Govan Town Hall and will continue on the Monday and Tuesday.

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In the NEWS 1979…

Fight Looms Over New Drinking Hours…

Scots publicans are set for an East-West confrontation over the country’s new look drinking laws.

The battle of words will break out when the Scottish Licensed Trade Association get together in Renfrew next week for their annual conference.

And if the East wins the day drinkers used to “all-day” pubs, open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. will have to go back to their old habits when the pubs closed between 2.30 and 5 p.m.

Publican Ossie Prosser, who owns hostelries in Glasgow and Dumbartonshire, is to put forward a resolution calling on the Government to fully implement the Clayson Committee recommendations across Scotland, with any afternoon break “being left to the discretion of the Licence Holder.”

But Dundee publican Jimmy Ross, who will lead the fight against that suggestion, claimed that success for Mr Prosser and his backers would lead to a “boozer’s charter.”

Mr Ross, a former president of SLTA, said, “I don’t approve of this resolution at all.” “Around Edinburgh and Glasgow, in the urban belt in the middle, pubs are more heavily committed to afternoon opening than anywhere else.

“I think there is less need for it there, particularly in Glasgow, where there is less tourism.

“After all, this is not a shopper’s charter. It was intended for the tourists. But instead it is becoming a boozer’s charter.” But in the West, members of the Strathclyde branch of the SLTA are confident that their move to stay open all day will win.

“This is bound to cause great controversy.” said one of Strathclyde’s 2500 members, who make up almost half of the association’s total membership.

“But we are sure we’ll win enough support to have the resolution passed.” Phil O’Rourke, chairman of the Glasgow Licensing Board, attacked Mr Ross’s bid to return to afternoon closing.

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In the NEWS 1979…

Publicans Ask For Their View…

More than 5000 Scottish Publicans are to get the chance to give their views on the country’s new, liberalised drinking hours. The pub people, members of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, are being asked to put their opinions in writing via a survey form sent out with the latest of their official trade magazine the Guardian.

The association’s licensing law committee, who dreamed up the survey, hope for “a flood of replies” to their questionnaire from licence-holders in cities and on remote islands.

The committee want to know………….. If licensees are satisfied with the new Licensing (Scotland) Act of 1976, which has seen later opening and “all-day” drinks hours, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. And they encourage their members to give reasons if they are not happy with the Act.

If they are in favour of the 12 hour opening without a break. If they favour 11-11 hours in summer months only. If there should be regular extensions after 11 p.m. without the service of food.

Association secretary Eric Ridehalgh said today: “The Act effects everyone in the business so we would expect a good response to the survey. “Before it all started, we had a consensus of opinion and now it’s just a matter of seeing how things are working.”

He said the association worked closely with the Scottish Office on the situation and any “Strong feelings” that might come to light through the survey would be conveyed to St. Andrew’s House.

Mr Ridehalgh added: “We want to know the grass roots feelings of all our members, there’s nothing else behind this.”

A Scottish Office spokesman admitted they had been “monitoring the position.” Their official views would be published in the near future. “But we have no comment to make until these are published,” he added.

Scots Under-Secretary of State Harry Ewing has already, however, voiced favourable views on the new licensing laws and early fears that the more liberal drinking would lead to an upsurge in alcoholism and offences such as drunk driving have been proved groundless.

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In the NEWS 1979…

Second Round of Pub Hours…

Glasgow could become completely Continental in its drinking habits if the Licensing Court on Friday approves most of the applications for extended hours.

At the court 149 applications will be heard from publicans and hoteliers, most of them seeking permission to open between 2.30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Two of Glasgow’s best known hotels the Central and the North British have applied for a fare licence which will take them through from 11 p.m. till 2 a.m.

That other plush city hotel the Albany, is seeking to open between 2.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday 2.30 p.m. till 6.30 p.m. on Sunday.

Three former Scottish footballers are concerned in applications before the court.

Jim Baxter’s wife Jean, is applying for an extension from 2.30 p.m. till 5 p.m. in their pub at Paisley Road Toll, while George McLean, another former Rangers star, and Tony Taylor, the former Celtic and Morton player, are applying for the permanent transfer of a licence for public houses in Maryhill Road, and Carrick Drive.

Mrs Jennifer Topalian, wife of Eddie Topalian, who formerly owned the Ad Lib in Hope Street, has put in for a licence for a restaurant at 61a Elmbank Street.

Application for extended afternoon hours comes from four public houses in Byres Road, the Wheel, the Kebab House, the Aragon, and the Chancellor.

Already there are two pubs operating all-day licences in Byres Road. A close observer of the Licensing Courts moves will be Scottish Secretary Bruce Millan, who has made it very clear that he is most unhappy at the “liberal approach” by all of the Scottish Licensing Courts.