1135 Tollcross Road, Tollcross, Glasgow. G31 4UG.
Kimberley Tavern. 1991.
Once known as the Kimberley Queen.
There has been a pub on this site since at least the 1890s.
When the pub was refurbished a few years ago a date above the doorway was found 1912.
George Thomson traded from the old premises until the early 1900s, his daughter Isabella took over the old pub and when the new tenement building was erected she took control of the pub on the ground floor paying an annul rent of £50.
In 1881 the Thomson’s were living in Burnside Cottage, Causewayside Street. The head of the family George was then a spirit merchant his wife Isabella born in Tollcross and daughter Isabella was only 4 years of age. They were fortunate enough to have a 21 year old domestic servant Agnes Cochrane from Paisley living with them and George’s brother Andrew a blacksmith.
Interior view of the new Kimberley Queen, Tollcross Road. 1971.
In 1971 Scottish & Newcastle Breweries totally refurbished the old premises and named it The Kimberley Queen. This was their second pub in recent years with a maritime theme the other was the Storm Queen near Partick Cross.
The new venture had a public bar and lounge restaurant which was called The Galleon and looked like the inside of a ship. Behind the gantry was a simulated stern porthole and a sea scene with several ships in full sail. The public bar was called The Captain’s Cabin. Master aboard the Kimberley Queen was publican Gerald Doyle who was manager of the Kimberley Arms before it was refurbished. He was assisted by Mrs D Harvey who was in charge of the Galleon, Mrs D Barclay who was in command of the Captain’s Cabin.
Gerald Doyle, manager with members of staff 1971.
When I met Mr Doyle for the first time in the Kimberley many years ago I was welcomed by a friendly face and a very jolly man he was, he was a gentleman and what sticks in my mind about Mr Doyle, was that when I left him I felt as if I had known him for years.
Mr Doyle went on to run the famous Blane Valley, Glassford Street. His son became involved in the licensed trade and now owns the Drum, Shettleston.
The Kimberley Tavern, August 2005.
Facts…
Licence Holders.
Mr W R Campbell was licensee in 1934.
1973 Eric MacKenzie Mackie.
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