John Gorevan

35 Kent Street, Calton, Glasgow. G40 2SR. Tel: 01415522461.

Traders Tavern. 1991.

The Traders Tavern is situated in the heart of the Glasgow Barras at the corner of Kent Street and Stevenson Street.

There has been licensed premises here since 1779. In 1900 the licence had been in existence without a break for 120 years.

In 1872 Alexander and son John White went into partnership to run this very old pub, Alexander was then licence holder and the partnership lasted until 1877 when John became sole proprietor.

John White attended Murdoch’s school where he learned French and Latin, when he was a teenager he would teach older men at evening classes in the same school. He travelled all over the world including America, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Gibraltar, Algiers and Morocco. John was an authority on Spanish Bullfighting and on various occasions toured Portugal and Spain.

John was an honorary member of the Forresters, a member of the Anderston Weavers Society and Deacons and Free Presses, the Incorporation of Bonnet Makers and Dyers, the Eastern Merchants Association, Clydesdale Merchants Society and a Free Mason in Killwinning Lodge, he was also a member of the Benevolent and the Defence Associations. He held in Bond a fine stock of whisky including Long John, Glenlivet, Coleraine and wines. Mr White also held one of the finest libraries in the east end of the city. If this was not enough for John to keep his mind occupied, in his spare time he would be seen rowing Loch Leven fishing for trout.

John White had a good sence of humour, when a rep called to see him, he would smile and say “I am the best educated man in this company, the strongest and the richest, and yet I never mention a word about it.“

In 1899 John commissioned architect George Bell to draw up plans for renovation of the pub. George Bell was well known for some of the best architectural work in the city of Glasgow including MacSorley’s, Jamaica Street and the Grosvenor, Gordon Street.

The exterior of the pub had large flowered and frosted plate glass windows looking into both streets. Both entrances were fitted with new collapsible iron gates with mosaic laid vestibules, the bar area was 458 square feet, unbroken by partitions which gave the interior a light and airy open plan. The gantry was placed within an oval mahogany bar counter which was a work of art. Tables and chairs were placed round the bar. Three furnished sitting rooms with tiled grates and hearths. A new tiled lavatory and toilet was also fitted. The cellar had four departments, all the bottling and blending of malt whisky was done here. The pub was also fitted for the first time with electric lighting and electricity.

In 1916 John became very ill, he was 62 years of age and could not continue as licensee, the licence was transferred to his wife Annie. Annie continued as licensee until 1940s. William Cummings took over the pub during the 1950s as did Mr Donnelly. In 1966 Mary Anderson took over as licensee then Mary Quin, the pub is still in the Quin family today. 2012.

William Cummings Bar on the left with customers on Kent Street 1955.

Donnelly’s Bar 1950s with Dick Lee (Cockney Jock) on the right selling dolls on Kent Street.

Traders Tavern. 2005.

Traders Tavern, with the top landing chopped off. 2012 Thanks to Norrie McNamee.

Mr John White with his son. 1899.

Facts…

On 25th March 1920 Annie White was convicted and admonished for having by the hands of her waiter supplied two men with liquor at 10-50am on 18th November. The waiter who supplied the whisky was fined £20.00. The price of the whisky supplied should have been 1 shilling and 8 pence per gill.

Licence Holders.

2005-1991 Mary Quinn.

1973-1966 Mary Anderson.

1937-1916 Annie Walker White.

1916-1886 John White.

1877-1872 Alexander White.

1872-1871 John Aitken.

1858-1856 Neil Carmichael.

1845-1828 John Young.

1815 Charles Alexander.