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The Grand Theatre

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Cowcaddens, Glasgow.

 

Mr W H Webster was manager of the Grand Theatre, Cowcaddens, Glasgow. Born in Nottingham in 1857 and educated at the High School there, he finished his studing at Trent College.

Originally intended for the Bar, his abilities and aptitude for the front and at an early age was manager of the theatre a very responcible position for someone so young.

He was a well-known amateur actor and was the founder of the Byron Amateur Dramatic Club, in connection with which he was introduced to the late Mr Joseph Eldred, who, till his death, remained his warm and esteemed friend, and under whose advice and guidance he entered the profession. His first engagement was with Mr Eldred’s company, with which he had a most successful tour in 1880, playing the part of Tremolini, the waiter, in Princess of Trebizonde.

His versatility was shown in his next engagement, at the Theatre Royal, Sheffield, he acted the part of Mrs Sinbad in the pantomime of Sinbad the Sailor.

The Grand Hotel

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560 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.

Grand Hotel Interior

Interior view of the bar and buffet room. 1930s.

Mr J Fritz Rupprecht managed the Grand Hotel in 1903, he formerly managed various hotel in Glasgow including the Alexandra Hotel, Bath Street in 1887. He was assisted by his wife who followed him in his carrier in the hotel business.

J Fritz Rupprecht

Mr J Fritz Rupprecht.

Mr Rupprecht started out in the hotel trade in 1864, he was known for many years in the Banavie Hotel, where he was familiarly known as “Fritz,” he was also in the Edinburgh Hotel under the proprietorship of Mr Middlemass. In 1887 Mr Rupprecht took over the Alexandra Hotel, 148 Bath Street, Glasgow. He was assisted by his wife who had a wide knowledge in Culinary matters, and took charge of that department in the hotel. Several of the principal hotels in Glasgow benefited from his services. He died in 1905.

Another well known figure in the Grand Hotel was manager Mr H W Hayward in the 1890s. Mr Hayward was employed with Messrs. Bertram & Roberts, the well known Crystal Palace Refreshment Contractors at Norwood, near London, he managed afterwards for the same firm the Royal Aquarium, Westminster.

In 1882 the North East Coast Exhibition was held at Tynemouth, for which he catered, and was its success that it was the originator of the well known Fisheries Exhibition being held in London. He was also connected with the Alexandra Palace in London for five years as manager and caterer. He had the honour of entertaining many aristocrats during his carrier in England, he also catered for Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess mary of Cambridge (Duchess of Teck,) Princess May and her family. He had a photograph of the Royal family with him in it at their visit to the Alexandra Palace in 1888.

Mr H W Hayward

Mr H W Hayward.

Mr Hayward was a Freemason and managed for a considerable time the Bridge House Hotel, London Bridge, which was then the headquarters of the twenty-one Masonic Lodges. He also had a long history in military work in Okahampton (Royal and Horse Artillery,) Abergavenny and Lavernock, he was also in the Volunteer Artillery.

In 1898 manager of the Grand Hotel was Mr C Ulbrich. He was born in Dresden in Saxony, after leaving school he entered the hotel trade. He was apprenticed in the British Hotel, Dresden, one of the finest in the city and on the same street as the Houses of Parliament and much frequented by British Tourists. Working in Europe he went to Ems to the Four seasons Hotel, where he filled the post of Head Waiter.

He then went on to Bavaria in the Victoria Hotel, Rotterdam then to Amsterdam to the Du Pay Bas hotel. This was the year of the famous Amsterdam Exhibition in 1883. On leaving Amsterdam he came directly to Glasgow and worked in the Marine Hotel, Hunter’s Quay, the headquarters of the Royal Clyde Yacht Club, he then went on to Arran, working in the Brodick.

Mr C Ulbrich

Mr C Ulbrich. 1898.

Again back the Marine Hotel, he acted as under manager, after a unfortunate fire took place at the hotel, he had charge of the temporary buildings, and on there completion he was appointed manager of the new club and hotel.

After eight years with the firm he left to work in the Grand Hotel under Mr Hayward. In his spare time he played a good game of Bowls and curling, he was a Freemason of lodge no 335, Dunoon.

The Grafton Bar

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274 Cathedral Street, Glasgow.

Grafton Bar Cathedral Street

The Grafton Bar. 1960s.

The Grafton Bar was named after the street on the corner of the pub, Grafton Street.

The first licensee to hold a certificate was a publican called Francis Anthony Mulholland Dailly, he acquired the pub in October 1909. He continued to serve the locals here until after the First World War.

During the depression on the 1930s Mrs C McGarrigle and Mr J McGarrigle were running the pub. They soon gave up the business and sold it to William Cran Forbes a wine and spirit merchant, in 1937.

Many of the drinkers will still remember James McGuire, the licensee who ran the pub in the 1960s. Like many of the old houses and businesses in Cathedral Street the pub too was demolished in 1969 in the City Council’s redevelopment scheme in the 1960s and 70s.

However Mr. McGuire reopened a new Grafton lounge bar in Sandyford Place a few years later.

During the WW1 there were another 6 public houses on Cathedral Street, which included McLaren’s at number 137, Pragnell’s at 214-16, McArthur’s at 339-41, Stewart’s at 486, Lang’s at 481-83 and the Cosy Den at 496 Cathedral Street at the corner of Buchanan Street.

Cathedral Street 1960s

Cathedral Street in 1960s. The Grafton can be seen on the left hand side of the image.

Other Cathedral Street Pubs…

Golden Garter Room

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Hill’s Hotel, Drumchapel, Glasgow.

In the NEWS 1975…

Frank Deerey and the Golden Garter girls 1975

Frank Deerey and the Golden Garter Girls.

If you go into Glasgow regularly looking for entertainment you may be becoming a little bored by what there is on offer.

But let me cheer you up with news of a new nightspot that opened its doors less than a fortnight ago. At the Golden Garter Room of Drumchapel’s Hill’s Hotel you can get a lovely four-course dinner, a chance to show your talent on the dance floor, and also be entertained by some of Scotland’s leading artists.

The Reo Stakis Organisation who own the Hills Hotel, have spared no expense to ensure that this nightspot offers top class entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere.

Mr Frank Deerey, manager of the Golden Garter, he worked formerly at the Dennistoun Palais and the Plaza, knows from experience a good deal about what the Glasgow customers wants in the way of entertainment.

“You could say this is a kind of package deal in the entertainment world,” he said. “I don’t think there is anywhere else in Glasgow that offers you dinner, dancing to a top class band, and a chance to see Scotland’s top artists at work.”

The evening begins at 7.30 when customers are welcomed by Frank and his three hostesses, Amanda, Rhona, and Rita and shown to their seats. Drinks will be served by the Golden Garter girls, attractively dressed in their long red and white skirts and matching halter tops, and there is dancing to music of Roberto Bernardi and his quartet.

Dinner is served at about 8.45 and after another spot of dance music from Roberto it is cabaret time. From tonight and for the next four nights The Wedgewoods, who were in the Perry Como Show last week, will be taking over the cabaret spot.

After the cabaret spot there is still time for more dancing until it is time to leave at about 11.45. From Wednesday to Friday, and on Sunday the cost is £2.85 a head. The Saturday night price is £3.50.

You can book a table, but booking is not compulsory. You will be just as welcome if you go along on the night. You can get to the Golden Garter via Great Western Road, through Anniesland Cross, along the Boulevard until you come to the Drumchapel roundabout, and from there go along Drumry Road, and the Hotel is on your left. Enter to the Golden Garter Room is through the Shopping Centre.

Golden Garter advert 1977

Golden Garter advert 1977.

Golden Garter advert 1975

Golden Garter advert 1975.

Golden Garter advert 1979

Golden Garter advert 1979.

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The Glenbervie

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185 Gorbals Street formerly called Main Street, Gorbals.

The Glenbervie Bar 185 Gorbals Street

The Glenbervie. Thanks to Tich Keltie for this great image.

Gorbals Street was once called Main Street, Gorbals and for well over 100 years has been well provided for old men’s pubs. The Glenbervie was just one of these public houses. When this photo was taken Hugh Gallagher was the licensee.

The history of this old Gorbals favourite started in 1868 when spirit merchant John Clement obtained a licence to sell beer and spirits. Mr Clement lived not far away and stayed with his family at 198 Crown Street. The address of the premises then was known as Upper Main Street.

After five years trading, the pub was taken over by George Shaw. George only had the pub for a year, the reason for this has been lost in the history books of Glasgow.

On 22nd April 1874 a well-known wine and spirit merchant Andrew Riddell took over the running of the pub, he paid an annual rent of £111.00 which was a great amount for a pub in the Gorbals.

Andrew’s rent was reduced to £93- 10 shillings after the First World Far and continued to serve the locals until 1921.

Other licensee to hold the licence was James Murdoch 1923 to 1927. Francis Evans during the 30s and 40s, he also ran a pub at 114 St James Road. In the 1950s Hugh Robb owned the pub then Mr Hugh Gallagher a popular Irishman who arrived to Glasgow from Donegal.

Mr Gallagher became very popular in the Southside of the city. He was friends with most of the Irishmen in the area including his friends Eddie Boyle, James McCready and Hugh Bonner.

Mr Hugh Gallagher with friends James McCready and Eddie Boyle.

Left to right young Hugh Gallagher, unknown, James McCready and Edward (Eddie) Boyle.

Do you known the unknown man 2nd on the left?

All the above men were from Donegal. Thanks to Tich Keltie.

Hugh Gallagher was a very successful businessman and had some of the best pubs in the Gorbals including, Gallagher’s Bar at 631 Argyle Street, Anderston, 32 Raglan Street, The Tirconnail Bar, 173 Cumberland Street and The Govanhill Bar, 332 Thistle Street.

Hugh’s friend James McCready took over the Glenbervie Bar in 1963. Mr McCready was also the licensee of the Tolbooth Bar, 11 Saltmarket at Glasgow Cross.

Have your say on this old Gorbals favourite by commenting below.