Welcome to WikiWirral, sharing is what we do best.
Forum Statistics
Forums65
Topics76,552
Posts1,034,394
Members15,041
Most Online244,501
May 17th, 2026
Who's Online Now
6 members (3 invisible), 119,075 guests, and 820 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters
sunnyside 45,164
MattLFC 22,315
Mark 21,270
granny 17,812
_Ste_ 16,348
Newest Members
Citruszest, Proust, Burwains, WaddyJ, manjadolan
15,041 Registered Users
New General Forums
researching family and related Wirral history
by manjadolan - 15th Oct 2026 6:58am
?? ??????????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ??????
by JunxinH - 29th Sep 2026 10:18am
The lone house on Illchester Road
by Bluesman - 9th Aug 2011 10:11pm
New Wirral History
Old Confectionary Receipts and Paper Ephemera
by amaterasu - 8th Sep 2015 11:49am
A Trip Down Memory Lane (via Oxton Road)
by DanLongman - 5th Jan 2012 4:42pm
Wallasey bus accident 1950s
by nightwalker - 5th Nov 2010 1:37pm
Top Posters(30 Days)
bert1 6
Topic Replies
Birkenhead
by diggingdeeper - 20th Oct 2026 11:26am
The lone house on Illchester Road
by Excoriator - 19th Oct 2026 9:39am
Old Confectionary Receipts and Paper Ephemera
by bert1 - 17th Oct 2026 11:01am
researching family and related Wirral history
by manjadolan - 15th Oct 2026 6:58am
Wallasey bus accident 1950s
by RobMc - 12th Oct 2026 5:00pm
A Trip Down Memory Lane (via Oxton Road)
by bert1 - 8th Oct 2026 6:00pm
Vape, Heads up
by diggingdeeper - 6th Oct 2026 7:56am
Titan Saw Blade.
by BultacoAstro - 23rd Sep 2026 7:57am
October
M T W T F S S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
Top Likes Received (30 Days)
bert1 1
Top Likes Received
bert1 34
Mark 6
casper 4
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#857158 9th Feb 2014 9:55pm
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 252
Addict
OP Offline
Addict
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 252
Hi All

Heard a few whispers that the Yates Castle Brewery records where held in Manchester after John Smiths took them over.

However, did some digging and saw that some records are held at the central library in Liverpool

Has anybody seen the records and maybe know of more extensive records and photographs perhaps?

trying to find out some information about an old pub owned by the brewery, then owned by John Smiths and finally taken over by Cains

Google Ads
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 252
Addict
OP Offline
Addict
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 252
I know that there were records in Manchester and John Smiths HQ in Tascaster, but I am not sure what records are kept in each!?!?!

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,222
Forum Veteran
Offline
Forum Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,222
This book may be of interest
click

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 472
Likes: 2
Smartchild
Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 472
Likes: 2
The records held at Liverpool (as M380 YCB/1-7) consist principally of a few early cash books, day books and accounts belonging to Richard and James Yates, the founders of the brewery, and Joseph B Yates, covering from 1831-1868. There's also a batch of about 60 bills, invoices and letters relating to pubs in Birkenhead between 1888-1924, but not much else.

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 252
Addict
OP Offline
Addict
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 252
I believe there are some records held in Manchester and Tadcaster but im not sure what information they have over and above what is in Liverpool.

In short the pub I am trying to find information on is over 150 years old and I have never been able to find one single photograph of it other than a small image when cains took it over in the 90's.

What probably doesnt help is that it has changed names a few times but even so a pub of that age should have some sort of photography!

I have purchased the book recommended by Derek and I will see if there is anything in there.

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 34
Wiki Veteran
Offline
Wiki Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 34
Benny,

If you disclose the name and location of the pub, you might get lucky, someone may be able to help.


If its 150 years old, Derek probably had his first drink in it. wink


God help us,
Come yourself,
Don't send Jesus,
This is no place for children.


Bertieone.
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 252
Addict
OP Offline
Addict
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 252
HI Bert

Its the Old Colonial, formerly the Grapes Hotel/Inn

I did a full research project on it a few years back and its the 2nd most viewed pub on Wiki Wirral and I have tried so hard to get a picture!!!!!!

Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 45,164
Wiki Master
Offline
Wiki Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 45,164
is this the one bennyboy??

Attached Images
474668d96d792f867330361c2bf9d3c5.jpg (28.79 KB, 165 downloads)
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 45,164
Wiki Master
Offline
Wiki Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 45,164
any help??

Attached Images
birkenhead_oldcolonial.jpg (44.01 KB, 162 downloads)
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 34
Wiki Veteran
Offline
Wiki Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 34
Benny

Not sure what information you need from 150 years ago,

Grapes Inn, Bridge St

Thomas Jones was the landlord early 1840s, mentioned in the Liverpool Mercury 1842 and listed in a 1843 directory. Margaret Jones, 1861 directory.


God help us,
Come yourself,
Don't send Jesus,
This is no place for children.


Bertieone.
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,222
Forum Veteran
Offline
Forum Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,222
Grapes Hotel(from BOUMPHREY book 1)`

William Oliver Gray 1880 - August 1881
William Oliver Grey 1881-1882
Thomas Jones 1882-1883
Thomas Jones 1883-1884
Thomas Jones 1884-1885
Thomas Jones 1885-1886
Thomas Jones 1886-1887
Harry Newall 1887-1888
John Allison 1892-1895
John Allison 1896-1900
John Allison 1901-1903
John Allison 1904-1909
John Allison 1910-19
William Woodcock 1920-1930
James Jones 1931 - 1941
Lawrence McCarthy 1942 - 1952
Lawrence McCartney 1953 - 1963
Lawrence McCarthy 1964-1975

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,222
Forum Veteran
Offline
Forum Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,222
Sorry BennyBoy didn't see your post about buying the book

Don't know if this will help
Going into the archives don't know if you noticed the 1857 map on the wall
I think they have 80 maps same year series of Birkenhead which may have the shape of the pub on one

Attached Images
pubs Archive map wooside to Ivy st.JPG (758.42 KB, 130 downloads)
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,222
Forum Veteran
Offline
Forum Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,222
This is from book 2
Previous list from archives pub licences

Attached Images
grapes book2.jpg (193.08 KB, 124 downloads)
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,222
Forum Veteran
Offline
Forum Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,222
Off pdf of Birkenhead Reference library photo index click


BC VI 211/76 Grapes Hotel
BPL 2765 Grapes Hotel, Liverpool
C3394 The old Colonial public house, Bridge street, Birkenhead 1989.

Last edited by derekdwc; 12th Feb 2014 12:37pm.
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 252
Addict
OP Offline
Addict
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 252
Hi Derek

We own the Old Colonial

Iv bought the first book but I couldnt find anything on the Grapes Hotel at all?

The second book I cant find anywhere it doesnt seem for sale.

The Yates castle brewery records show it owned the pub but I cant find any pictures etc.

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Mod 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Random Wirral Images

Click to View Topic.
Newest Topics
Birkenhead
by granny - 20th Oct 2026 9:44am
researching family and related Wirral history
by manjadolan - 15th Oct 2026 6:58am
Vape, Heads up
by bert1 - 24th Sep 2026 10:46am
Old Confectionary Receipts and Paper Ephemera
by amaterasu - 8th Sep 2015 11:49am
A Trip Down Memory Lane (via Oxton Road)
by DanLongman - 5th Jan 2012 4:42pm
For Sale & Free
Titan Saw Blade.
by BultacoAstro - 23rd Sep 2026 7:57am
Member Spotlight
_Ste_
_Ste_
Skid Row
Posts: 16,348
Joined: August 2005
Today's Birthdays
steviebyday
New Wirral Info
Vape, Heads up
by bert1 - 24th Sep 2026 10:46am
News : New Topics
Birkenhead
by granny - 20th Oct 2026 9:44am
New Enthusiast Forums
Popular Topics(Views)
10,915,100 CW Chat room thread
6,028,158 WIKI WALK CHAT
4,732,419 Spotted!
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5