Runcorn Memories: Booze was big business

By Runcorn And Widnes Weekly News on Jun 11, 09 02:56 PM in 1800-1899

IN the days when Runcorn's water supply was, to say the least, somewhat suspect, there seems little doubt that the populace turned to beer!

That rather amusing observation comes from David Toft, of Moughland Lane, who has followed up his research on the old Kelly's directories by kindly providing me with a copy of an 1878 Post Office Directory of Cheshire, and an even earlier one going back to 1857.

The 152-year-old directory shows that, even in 1857, no fewer than 36 beer retailers were listed.

Pubs listed included the Barley Mow, the Boathouse, Navigation Inn, Blue Bell, the Royal, Derby Arms, New Inn, Bridgewater, Lord Nelson, Egerton, Waterloo and Wilsons.

"Another interesting fact," David Toft notes, "is just how self-sufficient Runcorn was then. As well as shopkeepers and grocers, etc, there were trades to supply all the town's needs without anyone needing to shop elsewhere."

David has listed the trades and traders of every description including those of pawnbroker, butcher, clothier, corn merchant, chemist and druggist, coal merchant, upholsterer, baker, brewer, potato dealer, fishmonger and dealer in game, linen and woollen draper, surgeon, hairdresser and stationer and tobacconist.

And to that list can be added the following: plumber, painter and paper hanger, glazier, saddler and harness maker, printer, bookseller, accountant, builder, cooper, boot and shoemaker, blacksmith, wheelwright, clock maker, school slate maker and tailor.

And also these: chair maker, umbrella maker, straw bonnet maker, stonemason, rope maker, miller, tinplate worker, ironmonger (Richard Lea, of High Street), hat maker, mug manufacturer, hosier, an auctioneer and hairdresser by the name of John Stringer, of Bridge Street, clogger, slater, dressmaker, bankers (Parr Lyon and Co of High Street), and leather seller.

Showing a wry sense of humour, David adds: 'I couldn't find any wine merchants!'
In the 1857 Post Office Directory Runcorn was described as a market and union town, seaport, township and large parish.

The Runcorn Poor-law union, the directory stated, "contains 36 townships and the rates are applied solely to outdoor relief. The union is divided into three districts - Runcorn, Frodsham and Budworth - and includes the following townships: Acton Grange, Alvanley Antrobus, Appleton, Aston, Grange, Barlington, Budworth, Clifton, Crowley, Daresbury, Dutton, Frodsham, Halton Village, Helsby, Keckwick, Kingsley, Kingswood, Manley, Moore, Newton- by-Daresbury, Newton-by-Frodsham, Norley, Norton, Preston-on-the-Hill, Runcorn, Sevenoaks, Stockham, Stretton, Sutton, Thelwall, Walton Superior. Walton Inferior, Weston, Whitley Superior and Whitley Inferior."

'The soap trade is extensively carried on here, as also is tanning, rope manufacturing, school slate manufacturing, iron founding, anchor making and ship building, etc - all prospering trades.'

Principal exports were listed as grain, salt. coal, coke, iron and stone.

All in all, the directories provide a fascinating insight into our town of yesterday. Hopefully, I'll tell you more in the next couple of weeks.

The picture shows The Lord Rodney in Church Street which is now a chip shop.