Millstone, Blackley New Road, Blackley. (c) novaloca.
The Millstone, a basic two-roomed and now sadly-closed pub, at the junction of Mill Brow and Blackley New Road in Blackley near the old Avecia, Zenace and ICI Building, now known as the Hexagon Tower technology site. The unusual topography of the location means there is ground floor access to the basement at the rear of the Millstone on Mill Brow.
Millstone, Blackley New Road. (c) eigroup.
The Millstone was one of Blackley's first beerhouses, dating back to at least 1832 when it was described as a cottage and shop with a license to sell beer. Wheater & Swales brewery took over later in the 1880s and must have been responsible for its rebuild into what we see today. Swales Brewery formed from this company, moving from Salford to Hulme where "Swales Swill" was brewed into the 1970s until it was swallowed up by Boddingtons [1], as seen in 1972.
Millstone, Blackley New Road. (c) Roger Hall [1].
This 1966 photo ("Mine's a Swales") is also shown at the archives with the old works clearly visible in the background. The Millstone also had an official cellar entrance round the back too, as seen in 1958. The Millstone closed for good a couple of years ago and was last seen tinned up and being hawked around for auction.
Millstone, Blackley New Road. (c) Google 2014. View Larger Map.
1. The Pubs of Blackley, Roger Hall (1980).
Interesting to see this was a Swales' pub - do you know if there's an official list anywhere of which pubs they owned? I know the similarIy defunct Southern Hotel was one of theirs.
ReplyDeleteI remember being in there one lunchtime and one of the girls from ICI asked for a Martini and the genial landlord replied "It's a pub, not a bleeding cocktail bar".
ReplyDeleteMy Dad worked for ICI Dyestuffs from the 1920s to 1962, with a few years with ICI China, then back to Blackley. I never got to Blackley but interesting to see where he (and perhaps his father) worked and celebrated - and yes ICI gave him a gold watch. Thanks for the history. JH Sydney, Australia.
ReplyDeleteThere used to be a pub in the basement of the old ICI offices(not the newer Hexagon Tower). I think it was called "The Port & Pickle" and was for the staff who worked there. Can't believe it now but I used to go there when I visited on business. Imagine - a pub on a chemical works!
ReplyDeleteam looking for a man that went in that pub in the early 80's his name is james an he met a lady called gill an she had a daughter to him all i know is his name is james an he had brown hair an was no more then 5ft 5 an was always in that pub. he did write letters to gill's mums but they have vanished since gill an june pasted away some time ago.
ReplyDeleteCould anyone tell me if anyone had any idea where all the old boxing photograps went iam enquiring for a family members research thanks
ReplyDeleteMy Grandparent's (mother's side) ran this pub for a few years back in the mid 60s, Albert & "Dolly" Atkins. We lived on nearby Silver Street (later Singer Street) pretty much opposite the Wilton pub that had doors opening on Silver Street & Mill Brow. Granddad Atkins had one suite & he'd dress up on a Friday & Saturday night & sing in the bar for the public while grandma Atkins served. She was so short (4'10" !!!) she even had trouble reaching over the bar, hence the nickname "Dolly" as someone said "She's as small as a doll" when she was a baby. It wasn't as romantic as it sounds, she never grew tall because her parents were very poor & she was malnourished when growing up.
ReplyDeleteThere was a public footpath through the ICI chemical works, an actual Right Of Way & the chemical production lines had to go over or under it! Tucked away in one corner was a clock that had a sweep hand, the dial marked in gallons. The clock face proudly asserted "Chemicals for the Empire!" & it never stopped.