Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request RE: The Old Colonial Pub, Birkenhead

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.

Glad to hear you haven't just chucked all the old stuff.

There is a pub-history section on Wiki but we haven't got much on the Old Colonial yet.

Clicky

not sure if it may have have been called the Grapes Hotel either 1861 or 1881 onwards

should the big picture have the name of E Pollock on it
go to Geograph photos by E Pollock I would not be arsed but they are ok to reuse providing you give the guy his due credits Im sorry if I am wrong but you will have to agree you must of been up his backside same pick to a brick

I don't understand this message?

He's saying that the picture you posted looks identical to the one on this site
And if it is the same picture it should only have been posted with the appropriate credit to E. Pollock as specified by the Creative Commons License
Does that clear it up?

Yep, it's the same photo. Para should've said "Standing on his shoulders" but E Pollock should deffo have been accredited. Assume you're new to this Benny but be assured someone will be on your case if they see anything, just roll with it son and make sure you don't do it again.

Am new and I wasn't sure.I'll take them off now...and I'll put some pf my own picitures up

Good man, we all learn as we go along and if we get it wrong someone lets us know. Easy peasy.

sorry Bennyboy I have only just got back in.You do not have to take the pics off. I am sure he is an understandable bloke or the pics would not be up to use.The example I would use is if I put Violets pic of half of the moon up and inferred it was mine He would "nt HALF be angry. I can"t Wait for the next full moon

Its all cleared up now