RE: The Old Colonial Pub, Birkenhead - 22nd Feb 2010 8:17pm
Hi Everyone. I was wondering whether anybody could help me get some information on the Old Colonial Pub in Birkenhead (by the tram museum). My Father has recently bought it and is turning it into offices. I know bits of inofmration about it, from news archives and word of mouth. For example, I know that it was truned into a Cains pub in 1997, and that there were rumours that it was a morgue of all things! I have also learnt that it was bombed during the war. If anybody drank there or knew people who did then any information would be great. Also any old pictures of the pub would be fantastic, although so far my search has gained no results..
I am planning to visit the archives department on Canning Street this week to see how it has changed, we know that there has been an extension, and that there have been numerous other things that have gone on since it was first built.
So far from ripping the pub out we have found some interesting items. The most interesting was an old theatre program from 1912, for the 'Theatre Royal'. After numerous searches I couldn't find out what it was, but later found out that it was called 'the scala' later on after it was built. I have also found old beer bottles and things. All the findings, signs and all pub like things we have donated to the musuem across the road and they are going to make a bar scene with the donations we have made..
So thats all I have so far. If anybody has any information on the pub or even better pictures etc, then that would be really appreciated. I will post again in a short while with pictures of the outside of the pub now. If people are interested, I have some pictures of the inside when we bought it and what it looks like now.
I am planning to visit the archives department on Canning Street this week to see how it has changed, we know that there has been an extension, and that there have been numerous other things that have gone on since it was first built.
So far from ripping the pub out we have found some interesting items. The most interesting was an old theatre program from 1912, for the 'Theatre Royal'. After numerous searches I couldn't find out what it was, but later found out that it was called 'the scala' later on after it was built. I have also found old beer bottles and things. All the findings, signs and all pub like things we have donated to the musuem across the road and they are going to make a bar scene with the donations we have made..
So thats all I have so far. If anybody has any information on the pub or even better pictures etc, then that would be really appreciated. I will post again in a short while with pictures of the outside of the pub now. If people are interested, I have some pictures of the inside when we bought it and what it looks like now.