Pubs of Manchester

All pubs within the city centre and beyond.
A history of Manchester's hundreds of lost pubs.

Thursday 7 July 2011

Clarence, Wilmslow Road

Clarence, Wilmslow Road, Rusholme. (c) NewtonBluesMCFC.

The Clarence was in the middle of Rusholme's 'Curry Mile' and, although always doing a decent trade from curry goers, eventually turned into a restaurant itself a few years after City moved from Moss Side to Bradford.

Former Clarence, Wilmslow Road. (c) Pubs of Manchester.

As of 2011, the old Clarence is a garish pink, alcohol-free restaurant.  The pub had existed on this site for over 150 years, shown below in a 1905 postcard as a Hardy's Crown Ales house.

Clarence, Wilmslow Road, 1905. (c) http://rusholmearchive.org/a-tour-of-wilmslow-road.

The Clarence was an rare pre-match haunt of ours - don't remember much in the way of real ale, just the wood interior and occasional mither with visiting fans.

Former Clarence, Wilmslow Road. (c) Google 2011. View Larger Map.

32 comments:

  1. The Clarence on Wilmslow Road was previously called the 'Horse & Jockey' during the 19th century.................Bruce Anderson
    rusholmearchive.org

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  2. Coming to Manchester in April. Would love to track down Eric Wilson who was landlord here in the 70s and 80s. Thanks Harry

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    1. Eric Wilson haha, that's my dad, my mum is Maureen. We left the Clarence in 1997.:)

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    2. Hi Nicola. I should probably remember you and your brother????
      I worked for your dad while I was a student at the "Toastrack"
      Are your parents still in Mcr in the trade?
      Harry McMahon

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    3. You're right ive got a brother called Marc. Mum and dad have both retired now and yeah they are still in manchester, they are in their 70s now, im 44! Looking forward to telling him youve been asking about him.

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    4. Hi Nicola, as a young man I worked for Gerry in The Albert Inn and did holiday cover in The Clarence. If I remember right you arrived in the world around that time 76 ?

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    5. Hi. Would love to know how eric tug wilson is i met him when he was a wrestler he came to our town in bridport dorset. I got his autograph i was only 14 at the time. I still have his autograph today he was very nice. Hope he is well.

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    6. I remember some great Friday nights and St Patrick nights, watching a top band called Dirty Mac, in the late 80s, Maureen was the landlord then..

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    7. Hi Nicola. Not sure if you'll receive this, however would be very interested in getting in touch with your father. Currently writing a book about the history of pro wrestling in Northern Ireland and your Dad was a big figure from the 1960s-70s. Again, not sure you'll see this unfortunately! Kindest regards, Nick

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    8. Hi Nicola. Are you still on here?
      Harry

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    9. When i was a student from western Canada at Manchester U in the late 70s, the Clarence was my haunt. I was staying in a run down hotel on Hathersage Road that shouldn't have existed and the Clarence was a welcome( and warm) respite.
      Eric was always most decent to me, and have good memories of my time spent there.

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  3. Anybody got any info on teams there, football, dominoes etc. Particularly interested in the 20s as lolling for photo of William Godwin aka Dublin Bill who was a regular. I know pubs did days out and wondered if anything like that. My mam's dad but we've never seen a photo. Thanks.

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  6. I'VE BEEN LIVING IN DICKENSON ROAD IN 1976 . THE CLARENCE WAS MY FAVORITE PUB ESPECIALLY FOR THE MUSIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS; WHAT ABOUT TODAY? THE LOCAL MUSICIANS ARE STILL COMING ?

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  7. I used to visit the Clarence frequently when I lived in Manchester and after (around 1973-5). I occasionally played with the resident Irish musicians Mise Ceoil who featured a great accordeon player, Michael Burke. I have a photo of someone riding a motor scooter through the lounge!

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  8. Replies
    1. I think Michael Burke was a good friend of my dad (Spud Murphy) did he drink in the Albert Inn in Rusholme?

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    2. Paul
      Is your dad from Belfast?

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  9. Would you like to share your picture please ??

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  10. Hi Nicola
    Are you still on here?
    Harry

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  11. Hello The Wrestling Nick.
    I'm not sure if Nicola is still around on here.
    I worked for Eric in the Clarence. He had retired from wrestling by then. He was a really nice guy and we became good friends and he and I used to go out to the clubs in Manchester after work from time to time. He once loaned me one of his wrestling outfits for a fancy dress party !!
    There are a few of his bouts on Utube but I'm sure you know that already.
    How far along is your book? I'd love to read it.
    All the best and I hope Nicloa responds.
    Harry

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    1. Hi Harry
      Gathering up info and collecting interviews at present, so still in developmental stages.
      I've met up with many of the Irish wrestlers from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and along with another fellow somewhere in Donegal who's been hard to track down, Tug Wilson has been the missing link of sorts. He held quite a notable role for a while with Joint Promotions, the biggest wrestling company in the UK for decades, so be great to chat with him.
      Hoping Nicola or another family member sees this.
      It's been a lot of investigation to find contact info for some of the wrestlers or their families, so was actually very pleased when I seen this and the comment about Tug still being about!
      Whenever book is complete, I'll post on here :)
      Kindest regards
      Nick

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    2. Hi could could you let me know when your book is written as I would like to buy one. Tug Wilson was my favorite wrestler during the 70's.

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  12. Hi Nick. Best of luck with it all.

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  13. Hi, when I was a kid I remember somebody jumping off the roof of the Clarence into some boxes me n my mates shook his hand and it was on the local news but I can't seem to find it on YouTube, can anybody help.

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    1. Think that was Eric who did that and he did it with an egg in his gob from what I recall lol

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  14. Misè Cèol in the Clarence....Sullivan's Private Stock in the Gardner's...every weekend...great happy days.

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  15. Hi Nicola Wilson.. its H from Hulme Hall School. get in touch.. we need a catch up.. see you soon

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  16. Any luck tracking Eric down Nick?

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  17. I was a student in Manchester from 77 to 80 and often used to play in the Irish sessions in the Clarence (The Gardeners Arms too). There was a lovely bunch of musicians led by Pete Carberry and his brother ?Tony. Very friendly and great music. Pete is actually very much alive and well, as you'll see if you search his name on Youtube. Great times in the Clarence!

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