By Paul Hurley

 

THE Red Lion is the oldest pub in Winsford, the first landlord was there from 1763 to 1806 but by 1887 the building was suffering from the effects of subsidence and was demolished.

The present one was built in its place. Some would say however that the pub was the only one in Winsford.

Those on its right were in Over and those on its left and in front were in Wharton. The three villages were however amalgamated in 1894 under Winsford Urban District Council.

For more than 100 years, not including the earlier building, this pub was at the centre of Winsford life. It looked down upon the busy Market Place with its Town Hall and numerous smaller pubs and establishments that attracted people from far and near to enjoy the nightlife.

Over the years this most popular of pubs continued to serve the town. It saw the relocation of the town centre, the demise of ship building, the many salt works and the seven pubs there were reduced to three.

It would be fair to say that in the 1800s and later the Market Place was Winsford’s red light district where the salt workers, sailors from the salt flats and visitors went at night, not really a place for decent ladies.

In all of this time The Red Lion predominated and if only the pub could talk what a story it would have to tell.

Now owned by Damon Horrill and managed by his partner Atalia who tells me that there is food available, a regular Sunday quiz, and Monday Club when the challenge is to spin the wheel and open the box to win.

Wednesday is open mic night, Thursday Jazz and cocktails and Friday there are live acts from Britain and abroad.

On Saturdays the regular karaoke is presented by Mark’s Star Turns.

Damon’s company has other pubs in the town and we’ll be looking at them in later editions but in the meantime, The Red Lion is well worth a visit and is going from strength to strength with something for all, there’s even a resident ‘nice’ ghost.