Last Orders! : Runcorn Pubs - v. 1 : Those That are No Longer

The coming of the Bridgewater Canal in 1776 was the start of the expansion of Runcorn from a 'poor town by a salt creek' with a population of just over 1,000 to the New Town of today with over 60,000.

The three main industries, other than canals, were all heavy labour and dust making.

Many beer houses sprang up, in addition to fully licensed establishments, to cater for the thousands of thirsty labourers who now drove the town's industrial development.

In the early years of the 20th century there were 101 'hotels', 'taverns', 'vaults', 'inns' etc. in Runcorn itself, and about 20 in the surrounding villages - plenty of choice!

That's one for every 163 people (or one for every 46 families).

This volume deals with all those establishments that have closed up to 2003 and is intended to give an illustrated flavour of the types of pubs or beer houses available to our forebears.