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Billy Gold, the owner of the Heilan Jessie, has recently announced that he will be selling the beloved pub that he has been in his family for around 37 years! The change of hands is set to take place on the 18th of April 2023.

For many, the Heilan Jessie has been more than just a local watering hole. It has been a place of friendship and community, where people have come together to share good times and memories. Billy has been at the heart of this, not just as a pub owner but as a friend to many.

Billy’s affable personality and warm nature have made him a favorite among customers. He has always been a listening ear and is an enthusiast of Glasgow’s pub history. Many have come to the pub not just for the drinks and the atmosphere but for Billy’s company and the sense of belonging that he has created.

Billy’s journey has not been without its challenges. In 2013, his wife, Josephine, passed away after a short battle with cancer. Her passing was a devastating blow for Billy and the community, and many regulars remember the pub as a place where Josephine’s presence could still be felt.

Over the years, Billy has supported Old Glasgow Pubs in many ways, even sponsoring the booklet ‘Up & Doon the Gallowgate’ that he sells at the pub too.

Thankfully all of the staff will keep their jobs and I’m sure the new owner will not change anything in the pub!

It is hard to imagine the Heilan Jessie without Billy. However, we wish him all the best in his retirement and future endeavors. Thanks for being such a big supporter of Old Glasgow Pubs Billy. Cheers!

If you would like to read about the history of this great pub, click here

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I recently purchased a job lot of matchboxes off of eBay because I seen quite a lot of fantastic Glasgow Pubs on them! There was a fair few other Glasgow Businesses that were featured on some of the matchboxes too that was a great trip down memory lane.

I done an unboxing video on the Old Glasgow Pubs YouTube channel if you would like to have a watch and see all of the matchboxes that were in the job lot.

I have attached better quality pictures of some of the matchboxes below so that you can have a proper look at them!

In this time of self-isolation, I know there are a lot of our readers that don’t have a lot of close family around them and the pub is where you would meet your friends for a gab. so if you would like to chat about your favourite pubs and pass some time with our other readers, please leave a comment below, visit our Facebook page here or drop us an email at john@oldglasgowpubs.co.uk We have literally thousands of pages and images on our site to help the time pass and bring back some fond memories. We also have a YouTube channel that has a few history videos too.

20th of March 2020 – Prime Minister Boris Johnston has told all pubs, clubs and restaurants to close as early as possible tonight and not to reopen in an effort to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus that has brought the world to its knees. The prime minister quoted “we are telling – telling – cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight, as soon as they reasonably can, and not open tomorrow”.

23rd of March 2020 – Prime Minister Boris Johnston announced a lockdown as a result of the general public not following the simple rules that they were required to follow. “From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction: you must stay at home. If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the power to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

On the run-up to this inevitable announcement, we have already seen some of Glasgow’s pubs close including the Clutha on Stockwell Street. The owner of the Clutha, Alan Crossan, took the decision to close the Clutha Bar, but keep the kitchen open to feed Glasgow’s vulnerable. Here is a quote from their Facebook page ” We are hoping to open the Clutha kitchen on Monday to serve one hot meal per day. We are doing this with Theatre Nemo and Lights on G1- the same guys who organised Christmas dinner at the Clutha. We are putting in strict hygiene controls and meals will be by collection only. If there are any carers or neighbours who know of someone we can help can you please email me alan@cluthatrust.com This way we will know what numbers we have to cook for. If you can help our fundraiser it is on GoFundMe – Clutha Bar. If you can share this it will help immensely. Take Care everyone and look after your neighbours. “

The pub industry is facing an unprecedented threat that it hasn’t seen since the Temperance movement threatened to close pubs up and down the country. I sincerely hope that the industry and all of the staff are able to make their way through this tough time.

Stay safe everyone!

266 Bath Street, Glasgow. G2 4JP. Tel: 01413315171.

The Griffin is well known as of recent for their comical, yet controversial chalk messages/drawings. The signage and paint on the exterior was very good. There is no dedicated smoking area.

Inside the Griffin there are 3 bars. One as soon as you walk into the pub, one at the back and one in the function room. The bars are called the Griffin, the Griffinette and the Griffinay.

There is a wide range of drinks available at standard prices for the area. The Bar staff greeted us as soon as we walked into the bar and made us feel welcome. The pub was clean and the staff had their cleaning supplies at the ready.

The toilets could have been better though. The toilet roll holders were broken and one of the hand driers were hanging off the wall. There is also no disabled access to the toilets at all. The bar staff helped a wheelchair user up the first two stairs towards the toilet, then left him there to reach the toilets. The wheelchair user tried to continue, but there was another big step to the toilet. So he was stuck in the middle, not able to go anywhere. Thankfully there was someone going to the toilet at the time that helped him. a simple portable ramp would have solved this ordeal.

For entertainment, The Griffin has a comedy club and holds many different nights in the function room. There is also food available and it smelled delightful!

The Griffin Family that owned the bar before Mr & Mrs Mullen, come over from America to visit the bar regularly and love that the pub has been kept traditional.

This is a great pub if you are popping in before/after the theatre or if you fancy a pub with some nice food and friendly regulars. I would definitely recommend.

To read the history of this pub, click here!

Resounding Success For Gorbals Ward 1971

The annual dinner dance of the Gorbals Ward of the Glasgow and District Licensed Trade Defence Association, held in the Bellahouston, Hotel, Glasgow, was the usual resounding success.

The top table group at the function included in the front row are Mr. Sam Falconer, convener, and Mrs. Falconer (centre); Mr. George Grier, president of the Glasgow and District L.T.D.A., and Mrs Grier (right); and Mr. I G. Donaldson, managing director of Carlsberg Scottish Importers (second from left), who was principal guest. In the picture also, with their ladies, are Mr Frank Munro; Mr. Charles Sweeney, Mr. Alex R. D. Anderson, editor, National Guardian; Mr. George Ramster, secretary, Glasgow Association; and Mr. Michael J. Heraghty.

Do you know who these guy’s are Mr. ? Mrs. ? Mrs. and Mr Donald MacLean. 1971.

Mr. Michael J. Heraghty, (Heraghty’s Inn); Mr. Raymond Strain (Eadie Cairns), and Mrs. Strain; and Mrs. and Mr. J. A. Baillie (Guinness, Glasgow.) 1971.

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In the News 1974…

Arthur Bell & Sons recently held tasting in Lerwick for the Shetland L. T. A. and in the Beechwood Restaurant, Glasgow, for the Gorbals Ward of the Glasgow Association. In the group above, Mr. Iain Gordon, Bell’s Scottish regional sales manager, is seen pouring a dram for Les Allan, licensee of “The Thule”, in Lerwick and president of Shetland L. T. A. 1974.

The Gorbals group includes Mrs. M. Malarkey; C. Sweeney; M. J. Heraghty, convener, and Mrs. Heraghty; G. Watt (Bell’s); Eamon O’Doherty, and Mrs O’Doherty; H. Gallagher, and Mrs. Gallagher; and J. Donaghey and Mrs. Donaghey. 1974.

In the News 1974…

Another Great Night for Gorbals.

The annual dinner-dance of the Gorbals Ward of the Glasgow Licensed Trade Association was again a highly successful occasion, attended by a company of 350 and held in the Albany Hotel. Mr. Michael J. Heraghty, Gorbals ward convener, presided over the company, among whom the principal guest was Mr. William D. B. Wishart, director, A. & A. Crawford.

Pictured here are: Mr. R. T. Grier, senior vice-president, Glasgow Licensed Trade Association; Mrs. Grier; Mr. William D. B. Wishart; Mr. M. J. Heraghty; Mrs. Heraghty; Mr. J. B. McCann, secretary; Mrs. McCann. 1974.

Pictured here are: Mr. G. H. Ramster, secretary, Glasgow Association; Mrs. Ramster; Mr. H. Gallagher, Gallagher’s Bar; Mrs. Gallagher; Mrs. Sweeney; Mr. Charles Sweeney, Citizen’s Bar; Mrs. Munro, Mr. Frank Munro, committee. 1974.