Also known as the "Ginnie" on Rowson Street. I know it's been closed for a while, but it looks like an application has gone in to have the building torn down and replaced by 10 flats.
Does anyone know the history of this place? It looks like quite an old building and would be a shame to see it go. I don't understand why they can't convert the existing structure to flats if it's unprofitable as a pub.
Hopefully anyone who feels like me (and doesn't want to see yet another part of Wallasey's history demolished) submit a comment against on the Council's planning website. It's easy enough to do.
On Upper Rowson Street stands one of the oldest pubs in Wallasey, the Little Brighton Inn. The building was probably built about 1845 and has changed very little over the years. Originally the inn was called 'Chequers' but was renamed by Birkenhead Brewery, who owned the pub, to Little Brighton after the stretch of ground surrounding the inn which was known as the Little Brighton Common. The first landlord was Henry Evans who left by 1853 and was replaced by John Evans. He came from West Kirby and remained as licensee until 1865 when records show that William Jones became the new landlord. William remained at the inn until 1880 when Robert Voas took over. He was raised in Folly Lane, Wallasey Village. One reputed visitor to the Little Brighton Inn, which gave the pub the familiar nickname of 'The Ginnie', was Johanna Maria Lind (1820-1887), known affectionately as Jennie Lind. Whilst visiting Liverpool for a stage performance she is said to have crossed the river and stayed at the inn, where her name, or rather a corrupted version of her name, has endured ever since. Unfortunately, the claim that Jenny Lind was a guest at the inn lacks the authority of any form of historical evidence. It could well be the case that the choice of name for the inn was inspired by the great wave of popularity that swept through England in the late 1840's for the singer. The early 1870's marked the appearance of the Sandridge Hotel, built just across the road from the Little Brighton Inn, in Upper Rowson Street.
The bay windows to the rear of the pub were 'look-out' windows for when The Little Brighton was a horse drawn coach stop/ inn many, many years ago. Lodgers could look out these bays and see their coach approaching from the distance.
