Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Bob Martins on Conway Street Birkenhead

Hello,

Does anyone out there remember the fantastic Bob Martin's drinks place on Conway Street Birkenhead?

It disappeared around 1969/70 time, but the guy who ran it made his own non-alcoholic drinks and the amount of choice was amazing. It was like a pub for kids!!! I remember that you could have the Blood Tonic cold or warm...LOL..

Well I miss this place still and I wish it was still there, but I think the whole block where it stood was demolished and the fab Mr Martin had to move. I really hope that his skills were passed down to his family as he was a very clever man in my opinion.

Hi, Wendy & welcome to the site. I personally don't remember Bob Martin's, but I didn't go down that part of town much. I do remember that we used to have drinks from the Lancashire Botanical Brewery; the dandelion & burdock was good. They came in stone jars. I see you've made quite a few posts already, which are welcome. Why don't you look in at General Chat/New members & tell us a bit about yourself.

Cheers, Chris.

Hello Wendy,and yes, my husband remembers Bob Martins shop well. He used to cycle down there from the north-end with his friends 54 years ago, and have his favourite tipple (as a lad) of ginger beer. He says there is nothing today to equal the flavour and smell of that wonderful brew (non-alcoholic of course)
Pat Ellis

Wendy I remember Bobs as my dad used to leave me there whilst he went to the betting shop just across the road. It was set up as a bar and even had the old dimple pint glasses. My favorite was blood tonic and I think really it was cherryade as asdas tastes exactly the same. He did ginger beer, sasparilla ad many other flavors. He used to wear a pinny and had his slicked with brylcream or something and never spoke a lot. My dad used to warn me about getting drunk.

My Lord, how many more memories am I going to get off this site. I remember Bob Martins especially the blood tonic. This is all too much for me I think I need to go and lie down.

Dave Miller

i REMEMBER bOB mARTINS. Used to go as a child for my pint of 'blood tonic' Used to buy a bottle you can make up from neat but never tasted the same. I thought 'blood tonic' wnrt to the grave when he died but noticed on TV another shop very similar still open, can't remember where it was though. used to be a porno book shop not far from Bob's used to ogle at the pictures after a few pints. Used to have a bar and all the main drinks were in barrels Used to sit at table with pint and packet of crisps by the window watching the world go by. Good old days. By the way, I'm 53.

BIG AL ROBBO.

i used to live right by bob martins you could also get a jug of whatever your favourite drink was for about a shilling i was always pestering my nan to let me and get some.

i used to live right by bob martins you could also get a jug of whatever your favourite drink was for about a shilling i was always pestering my nan to let me and go and get some. what memories and i am 59

I can remember Bob Martins and blood tonic
The shop used to be more or less over the road facing what is now the Birkenhead Bike shop in Conway Street
When a gang of us used to go play in Birkenhead Park depending where we finished up in there we would either go to Bob Martins if we came out of Conway st entrance or a little corner shop in Claughton rd opposite Cole St School
Will have to look and see if that shop is still there

No, the shop has long since gone. I use to go there to for a "blood tonic" too. I remember the man use to pull it out of a pump(like the way they use to pull a pint in a pub )

Use to go to bob Martins in the mid 50s and before then in the late 40s use to be taken by my dad to the Balm Beer shop in Oliver street it was on the corner of the little street that runs down the side of the Firemans Arms.
The side exit doors from the Ritz picture house use to open into that side street

bob martins was onthe corner of hilton st opposite the now cycle exchnge, it used to be a sweet shop opposite either called fabri s or olivieries, i used to think i was dead grown up sitting in bob martins having a drink of sasparella, mr martin the son who took it over after his father retired used to be orchestra leader at the ymca for the pantomimes at christmas i know cos i was in some of them ooh..the embarassment.

We used to call it the kids' pub. Even my kids used to go there when they were little, on the way up to Grange Road. I'm 67, the oldest one on here up to now. Any advances?

You're just a youngster.

I'm glad to hear that chris. Can remember being the youngster everywhere I went and then suddenly it changed.