Former "Gretna Tavern" - February 2018 (1)
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Description
"The former "Gretna Tavern" is a building of historic importance as it was the first building acquired by the State Management Scheme in 1916. It was also the first State Management Scheme commission for architect Harry Redfern, who designed the interior. However, the story is very complex as, at its full extent, the "Gretna Tavern" comprised ALL the buildings seen in this view. What is now Lloyds Bank (the central section) was originally Carlisle's main Post Office, which moved to new premises on the Warwick Road in 1916. This building seems to have been completed circa 1840, as the OS Map shows the site occupied by the "Athenaeum", with the Post Office to the right (the building with the blinds – which is believed to date from 1863). The “Athenaeum” was purchased by the Post Office in 1874. Period OS Map show no evidence of any of these premises being a pub prior to 1916. But the 1925 OS Map shows the entire site - from the turreted building to the building with the blinds - as the "Gretna Tavern". To add to the confusion, a photograph dated 18 May 1917 shows King George V and Queen Mary leaving the tavern by a door just to the right of where the pedestrian is standing in this shot. The central section (now Lloyds Bank) was sold to the Trustee Saving Bank at some yet to be discovered date between 1925 and 1938 – leaving the two flanking buildings plus an adjoining section behind the bank building as the “Gretna Tavern”. This layout is confirmed in the Scheme’s Sale Tender document, with these premises sold to Eden Construction in 1973 for £82,215. Today, the building on the left is commercial premises while the central section is a branch of Lloyds Bank. Only the original Post Office to the far right are licensed premises – now called “The Last Zebra”. See also: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5691908, http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5691957 and http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5719982. Photograph is for record only – I have no connection with any business seen in this view and cannot advise on their products or services." Photo by The Carlisle Kid, 2018. -
Owner
The Carlisle Kid -
Source
Geograph (Geograph) -
License
What does this mean? Creative Commons License
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Further information
Link: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5691904
Resource type: Image
Added by: Simon Cotterill
Last modified: 6 months, 4 weeks ago
Viewed: 165 times
Picture Taken: 2018-02-25 -
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