North Westward Ho!, Pomona Dock

North Westward Ho!, Pomona Docks. (c) Chris Bluer / Jud Evans [1].

South of Manchester city centre lies Pomona Dock, seen here in 1925, a reminder of the once thriving Port of Manchester at the end of the Manchester Ship Canal.  While the main docks have been regenerated into Salford Quays, with the BBC moving significant parts of their programming to the site, the smaller Pomona Dock further up the canal towards town remains largely derelict due to ground pollution.  

Pomona Docks. (c) oceangateway.com.

In the 1970s, Pomona Docks was home to one of Manchester's strangest public houses, the North Westward Ho! pubship.  The North Westward Ho ship (b.1938) was bought by Jud Evans in 1972, and after permission was granted for a spot and for an alcohol licence from the Manchester Ship Canal Company and the Licensing Magistrates, the ship was sailed up from Cornwall, down the Ship Canal and birthed at Pomona.  

North Westward Ho, Pomona Docks. (c) Chris Bluer / Jud Evans [1].

A 12-month refit saw her kitted out as the North Westward Ho!, a plush bar and restaurant, offering six bars, Bass ale, late licence and disco - though note the strict dress code!  The success of the ship led to a comet jet being purchased from the RAF and parked next dor to act as an overflow venue, complete with dancefloor [2].


North Westward Ho!, Pomona Docks. (c) Chris Bluer / Jud Evans [1].

After a good decade, the North Westward Ho! closed and was eventually broken up in 1996 [3].  A regular at the Westward Ho and local businessman, Chris Bluer, supplied the above images from a 1973 newspaper cutting [1].


North Westward Ho!, Pomona Docks. (c) Chris Bluer / Jud Evans [1].

1. http://evans-experientialism.freewebspace.com/westward_ho_cutting_1973.htm. 
2. http://evans-experientialism.freewebspace.com/westwardho.htm. 
3. http://www.teesships2.freeuk.com/050403westwardho.htm.