952 Govan Road, Govan, Glasgow. G51 3AJ. Tel: 0141 445 1018.
There has been licensed premises on this site since 1887.
The pub sat at the corner of 1 Ruthlin Street formerly known as Reid Street.
Over the years this old pub has been known as Kraken Bar 2018, Richard’s Bar 1990, The Glen Bar 1980s, the Beauty Parlour, Chassels 1935, David Wood 1899, William Sutherland, Old Govan Arms and Donnelly’s.
William Sutherland was the first owner of these premises and at first opened as a restaurant, it wasn’t long before he acquired a full licence. William was no new-comer to the trade as he was trading as a wine & spirit merchant at 833-835 Govan Road at the corner of 2 Morrison Street now Helen Street. Mr Sutherland was living with his family at 4 Hamilton Terrace, West Partick.
Mr Sutherland traded from these premises until 1892. The following two years a Mr John Thomson took over, however William was back trading under his own name by 1890. William sold up a few years later.
The next licensee was David Wood, he renamed the premises and put his name above the doorway in 1895. David was living at 19 Reid Street, Govan. In 1899 Mr Wood was paying an annul rent of £98. In 1915 Mr Wood also had a public house at 231 Paisley Road and was now living at 3 Church Road, Ibrox.
In 1916 the license was transferred to Mr James Rae Chassels. The Chassels family traded from here until the late 1960s.
In 1973 the licensee was John Dingwall.
This was known for many years as the Glen Bar, it was changed to Richard’s bar by the new owner Richard Wilson. It was previously called the Old Govan Arms and Donnelly’s named after another licensees’.
Update 2018…
In 2018 the pub had a new name the “Kraken”. Kraken is a US based crypto-currency exchange founded in 2011.
Do you have any memories of this old pub? If so please leave a comment.
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