Forgotten moments in one of Liverpool’s ‘finest’ pubs

Forgotten moments inside a historic Liverpool pub show what life was like there before its stunning refurbishment – which has now been recognized with a prestigious award.

Earlier, the ECHO reported how CAMRA revealed the winners of its pub design awards, which recognize the highest architectural standards in the renovation and historic preservation of UK pubs. The awards are judged by a panel of design and conservation experts, with categories ranging from refurbishment to new build, and a Liverpool pub has been crowned winner of the Historic England conservation category.

Affectionately known as ‘The Big House’, The Vines pub has stood on the corner of Lime Street and Copperas Hill since 1867, the ECHO previously reported. CAMRA said a complete conservation and refurbishment of the interior of the Grade II* listed Edwardian pub had “undone years of poor care under previous management”.

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Conservation work on the historic gin palace included the restoration of the original 1907 tiles, the stunning stained glass ceiling dome and the intricate theater plasterwork. CAMRA judges said they were “incredibly impressed by the high quality of the restoration”, which brought the building “back to life”.

Following the announcement, we revisited our archives and took a fresh look back at the pub’s history. Fascinating pictures show what it looked like in years gone by. These images, courtesy of our archives, Mirrorpix, are bound to stir up some memories.

By the 20th century, The Vines had been taken over by the Walkers, owners of the Warrington brewing family and founders of the Walker Art Gallery, who commissioned it to be rebuilt in its present ornate style in 1907. Architect Walter Thomas, who designed the Philharmonic Dining Rooms, they rebuilt the venue, retaining much of its classic late Victorian interior.

Over the decades, The Vines has become known for its cask ales, pool hall and Edwardian great hall. Considered to be one of the finest surviving examples of Edwardian pub architecture, the pub is a Grade II* listed building, meaning it is of special interest and therefore efforts should be made to preserve it.

What are your memories of The Vines pub over the years? Let us know in the comments section below.

Last year, The Vines reopened after a stunning renovation. But these glowing photos offer a glimpse of what life was like inside the historic venue in the 1980s.

Many will remember what life was like in the pub as captured in these photographs which have remained unseen for years. Footage shows customers inside The Vines at the time enjoying a drink or bar snack.

You can also see what the bar looked like at the time and people smoking inside. A photo, taken in 1989, shows owner Frank Randles in The Vines heritage suite.

Over the years, many generations of customers have continued to visit The Vines. In 2022, the ECHO reported how the iconic Lime Street pub closed its doors in mid-February to undergo refurbishment.

The pub has been bought by The 1936 Pub Company, which owns a number of sites in the city, including The Green Man on Lark Lane and The Red Lion on Slater Street. New owner Rob Gutmann has been in touch with the Walker Art Gallery to update them on plans for the iconic pub.

Speaking to the ECHO previously, Mr Gutmann said they would be “bringing back a large selection of cask ales to the pub, specializing in high-end and rare whiskeys and stocking a quality wine cellar”.

He said: “The former billiards room, an impressive Edwardian hall, will be brought back into play seven days a week and feature a stylish, authentic gin palace style cocktail bar.

“It feels like the honor of a lifetime in hospitality to have the opportunity to take on this wonderful Liverpool pub and have the chance to represent it to the public as it was intended in its Edwardian beginnings.

“The town was once home to the world’s finest gin palaces and public houses and still has a number of historic and noteworthy pubs, but our aim is to play a part in restocking the town with excellent examples of British public houses epoch. and reverses the tide that has seen several bar closures over the decades.”

Last April, the pub reopened and people were “blown away” by the stunning refurbishment. Large fan-leafed plants and intricate lamps give the space a Great Gatsby feel.

Booth seating has been stripped of faded fabric and replaced with plush leather seats, while fires are stocked with wood so people can enjoy a cozy pint while we wait for the weather to warm up.

At the opening, a spokesperson for the pub told the ECHO: “We’ve put a lot of love and care into rejuvenating it as authentically as possible. The feedback from the first few dozen customers was really encouraging. People were stunned by the Edwardian setting after it was hidden away for decades.

“Cask ales are flying, as expected, and cocktails are likely to take precedence later in the evening. People were walking around like it was a National Trust site taking pictures.”

On the ECHO website, people celebrated the pub’s reopening and recalled fond memories of previous visits there. Ellie Mac said: “Outstanding renovation. I so fondly remember The Vines/The Big House being the start of our nights on the town. A common meeting place. Always crowded, but I liked the atmosphere.”

Others, including Julie Redican, were pleased that the pub’s character had been preserved during the refurbishment. She wrote on the ECHO’s Facebook page: “Beautiful. Well done, kept the original features and worked with them instead of destroying the place. Looks brilliant!”

Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, Andrew Davison, said: “Once again, the Pub Design Awards judges had a tough job selecting the winners from the entries. Despite the pressures the hospitality industry is under, we are pleased to report that people are still prepared to invest time, money and resources in preserving buildings and upgrading them to meet the latest challenges.

“The Pub Design Awards recognize the high standards of flair and imagination that went into these projects and the ambitious craftsmanship involved in the repair and conservation work. Despite all that has come our way, we believe the pub has a key role in our communities and will continue to thrive as an institution.

CAMRA Awards director Laura Emson added: “It’s only right that the blood, sweat and tears poured into these pubs should be celebrated. I’d like to raise a glass to all these award-worthy pubs!

“We hope beer lovers across the country will seek out these stunning examples of how beautiful UK pubs can be if given the proper love and care that these much-loved establishments truly deserve.”

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