Address: Liverpool Road, Hutton
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| The Original Anchor Inn c.1920 |
The Blue Anchor Inn, as it was originally known was located on the Liverpool and Preston Turnpike Road (now called Liverpool Road) at the junction with Hutton Hall Lane. The original building pictured above was both a farm and public house (Inn) and retained the name "Blue Anchor" well into the 20th century before the "Blue" was eventually dropped to just "The Anchor". There has been a pub on the site for the last 200 years or so although the original building was later demolished and rebuilt in the 1930s.
This (current) building dates from the 1930s, erected on the site of a previous Anchor Inn, named on some maps as ‘The Blue Anchor’. The old pub stood right at the edge of the road and was a traditional long low building, very similar to the Fleece in Penwortham. The new Anchor was built behind the old, then the original demolished, so that no trade would be lost during the process. The pub stands on what was the main ‘turnpike road’ from Preston to Liverpool, with a regular stage coach service between the two towns. The smithy still stands beside the pub: this was very common as the two together formed a kind of ‘service station’ for travellers. The 1881 census shows that the landlord was George Clegg, and that he was also a farmer of 45 acres, a large farm for the time. Combining these two trades was ubiquitous as running an inn alone could not provide enough income for a family. During the 1930s the rise of motor cars and charabanc travel made the woods around Hutton a popular place for day trippers. And so the owner of the inn developed a dance hall close by and built the two rows of terraced houses in Anchor Drive, for the accommodation of his staff and for rental.
(courtesy of the Penwortham Heritage Trail & South Ribble Council)
This (current) building dates from the 1930s, erected on the site of a previous Anchor Inn, named on some maps as ‘The Blue Anchor’. The old pub stood right at the edge of the road and was a traditional long low building, very similar to the Fleece in Penwortham. The new Anchor was built behind the old, then the original demolished, so that no trade would be lost during the process. The pub stands on what was the main ‘turnpike road’ from Preston to Liverpool, with a regular stage coach service between the two towns. The smithy still stands beside the pub: this was very common as the two together formed a kind of ‘service station’ for travellers. The 1881 census shows that the landlord was George Clegg, and that he was also a farmer of 45 acres, a large farm for the time. Combining these two trades was ubiquitous as running an inn alone could not provide enough income for a family. During the 1930s the rise of motor cars and charabanc travel made the woods around Hutton a popular place for day trippers. And so the owner of the inn developed a dance hall close by and built the two rows of terraced houses in Anchor Drive, for the accommodation of his staff and for rental.
(courtesy of the Penwortham Heritage Trail & South Ribble Council)
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| 1824 Baine's Directory |
The directory above confirms the existence of two Blue Anchors in the general Penwortham area, this one at Hutton that came under the Longton area in 1824 and the other in nearby Farington, where Richard Waddilove was the landlord.
Advertisements & Notices
To be Sold by Auction, by Mr. Abraham Parker, the house of Robert Wilding, the Anchor Inn, in Hutton, in the County of Lancaster, on Thursday at six o'clock.
21 January 1837 - Preston Chronicle - Preston, Lancashire, England
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1832 Electoral Role - Robert Wilding
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Listed landlords at the Anchor were Robert Wilding (1824-7), Richard Breakell (1840-1854), Richard Dawson (1854), William Park (1856-62), George Clegg (1864-1907), William Clegg (1907-16), James Dobson (1924-30), Bernard Vickery Whitehead (1930-33), E Russell (1933-35), Frederick George Alfred Walker (1942), Martyn Driscoll (-2016) and Diane Radbron (2017-).
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| 1841 Richard Breakell |
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| 1813 Baptism of Richard Breakell |
One of the early recorded landlords was Richard Breakell who came from a farming family, as his baptismal record above attests.
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| 1844 Map |
The license of Richard Breakell, of the Anchor Inn, Hutton, was refused, but re-granted to Mr. James Spencer, the agent to Col. Rawstorne, the owner.
31 August 1850 - Preston Chronicle - Preston, Lancashire, England
The press article above confirms that the Inn was originally part of the estate of Colonel Lawrence Rawstorne Esq. who lived at nearby Hutton Hall and owned a significant amount of land and property in the area. Pictured below, the hall and it's land was to become the site of the Lancashire Constabulary Headquarters and the building itself was demolished in 1961.
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| Hutton Hall c.1914 |
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| 1851 Richard Breakell |
The owners of Shares, or Cattle Gates in the said township, to be held at the house of Mr. Richard Dawson, the Anchor Inn, situate at Hutton, in the said parish of Penwortham, at Eleven o'clock in the Forenoon of Thursday, the sixth day of April next.
18 March 1854 - Preston Chronicle - Preston, Lancashire, England
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| 1854 Mannex Directory |
By 1861 Richard Breakell and his family had moved to Preston but only a year later he passed away and was buried back at St Mary's, Penwortham.
POLICE INTELLIGENCE
...Emery offered to pawn a coat with him...he declined to take it in. Wm. Park, of the Anchor Inn, in Hutton, had bought a pair of trousers, now produced, from Whiteside, and two men, strangers, purchased same at Liverpool.
04 October 1856 - Preston Chronicle - Preston, Lancashire, England
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| Painting of the old Blue Anchor |
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| 1861 Census William Park |
At the time of the census above the future landlord, George Clegg can be seen living two doors down from the current landlord and farmer, William Park.
Marriage: 10 Jun 1862 St Mary, Penwortham, Lancashire, England
William Mayor - full Farmer Bachelor of Hutton
Mary Park - full Spinster of Hutton
Groom's Father: James Mayor, Farmer
Bride's Father: William Park, Inn Keeper
Witness: Richard Mayor; Ann Park
Married by Licence by: T. R. Finch Curate
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| 1862 Burial - Richard Breakell |
George Clegg was to become the Anchor's longest serving landlord, running the business from the early 1860s until his death in 1907 after which time his son William took over for a short period of time.
To be Sold, a BROOD MARE, for Agricultural purposes.
Expected foal the last day of this month—
Application to be made to Mr. G. Clegg, Anchor Inn, Hutton.
16 April 1864 - Preston Herald - Preston, Lancashire, England
Expected foal the last day of this month—
Application to be made to Mr. G. Clegg, Anchor Inn, Hutton.
16 April 1864 - Preston Herald - Preston, Lancashire, England
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| 1869 Slater's Directory George Clegg |
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| 1871 Census |
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| 1873 Marriage George Clegg and Ann Alston |
KIRKBY LONSDALE
On Tuesday evening Mr Myres, coroner, held an inquest at the Anchor Inn, Hutton, near Preston, on the body of Thomas Harrison, a fine young man 17 years of age, the son of Mr. Francis Harrison, farmer.
05 April 1873 - Lancaster Gazette - Lancaster, Lancashire, England
05 April 1873 - Lancaster Gazette - Lancaster, Lancashire, England
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| 1881 Census |
THE PRESTON HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1889
Tenants of the estate of Lawrence Rawstorne, Esq., Hutton Hall, near Preston, were entertained to well-served dinner at Mr. Geo. Clegg’s Anchor Inn, Hutton, on the occasion of the rent audit.
15 May 1889 - Preston Herald - Preston, Lancashire, England
15 May 1889 - Preston Herald - Preston, Lancashire, England
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| 1891 Census |
WALTON-LE-DALE AND BAMBER BRIDGE LICENSING COMMITTEE
At the Leyland Police-court on Monday George Clegg, landlord of the Anchor Inn, at Hutton, was summoned for permitting drunkenness.
17 January 1891 - Preston Chronicle - Preston, Lancashire, England
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| 1892 Map |
FOR SOBRIETY'S SAKE.
At Leyland, near Preston, yesterday, George Clegg, landlord of the Anchor Inn, Hutton, was summoned for selling adulterated spirits. A police-sergeant proved that whisky bought at defendant's house contained 11 per cent excess of alcohol.
12 October 1897 - South Wales Echo - Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales
12 October 1897 - South Wales Echo - Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales
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| 1901 Census |
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| 1905 Kelly's Directory |
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| 1907 Probate George Clegg |
It's interesting to note that part of George's estate went to James Thomas Pye, who had been running his family's brewery and maltster business in Longton until 1905 when they amalgamated with Walmesleys of Preston to become Walmesley & Pye Ltd based at 100 Church Street & Victoria Street, Ormskirk. George's probate record tends to suggest that up to this time, the Anchor had been a James Pye & Son public house. James' occupation as a Brewer's Traveller two years lagter suggests he was kept on in the business after the sale. For more information see the below link.
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| 1909 Map |
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| 1911 Census |
TO BE SOLD, the Free, Fully-licensed Premises, The BLUE ANCHOR INN, HUTTON containing a commodious and convenient house, containing sitting-room, two kitchens, bar, taproom, cellars, bedrooms...
08 January 1916 - Lancashire Evening Post - Preston, Lancashire, England
LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL.
BUSINESSES ON SALE. THE BLUE ANCHOR INN. HUTTON. Near PRESTON
FOR SALE by private treaty the FULLY-LICENSED INN known as the BLUE ANCHOR, situate in Hutton on the main road from Preston to Liverpool
25 November 1921 - Lancashire Evening Post - Preston, Lancashire, England
25 November 1921 - Lancashire Evening Post - Preston, Lancashire, England
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| 1924 Kelly's Directory |
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| 1929 Map |
LEFT WIFE AND CHILD FOR A MONTH AT BOOTLE
Bernard Vickery Whitehead (26), Anchor Inn, Hutton. was sent to prison
for a month at Bootle, today.
09 August 1930 - Liverpool Echo - Liverpool, Lancashire, England
OBITUARIES IN LANCASTER AND THE COUNTRY
...father was at one time the licensee of the Old Plough Hotel. Mr. Dobson removed to Garstang over seven years ago from the Anchor Inn, Hutton, which was also kept by his father, who many years ago farmed Mason House Farm, Lea.
23 July 1937 - Lancaster Guardian - Lancaster, Lancashire, England
RIBBLE BREWERY COMPANY LIMITED
The New Cock Inn and Garage, Preston, Harrison’s Hill Tavern, Preston, Shawe’s Arms, Preston, The Anchor Inn, Hutton, The Shoulder of Mutton and two closes of land belonging thereto having a total area of over acres.
15 April 1937 - Lancashire Evening Post - Preston, Lancashire, England
Ribble Brewery Co. Ltd was a very short-lived enterprise, based at 75 St.George's Road, Preston, Lancashire it was registered in October 1936 to acquire the business of Richard Maguire trading as the Moor Park Brewery Co. and went into liquidation in 1939; the brewery and 12 tied houses were sold to Matthew Brown & Co. Ltd. 1943.
Some of the other public houses were as follows: -
1. Old Dog & Partridge, Friargate, Preston.
2. Oddfellow’s Tavern, Adelphi St., Preston.
3. Paviour’s Arms, Fylde Rd., Preston.
4. Fylde Tavern, Friday St., Preston.
5. West End Tavern, Taylor St., Preston.
6. New Cock Inn, Fishergate, Preston.
7. Harrison’s Hill Tavern, Preston.
8. Shawe’s Arms, London Rd., Preston.
9. Grove Hotel, Fylde Rd., Preston.
10. Shoulder of Mutton, Lancaster Rd., Preston.
My thanks goes to Steve Halliwell and his fabulous blog, "Pubs in Preston" for the historical information provided in the links for the public houses above and to the brewery history website.
Village to lose its only pub as Hutton says farewell to the landmark Anchor Inn
Lancashire Evening Post 5th October 2021
A village is to lose its only pub after 200 years because locals failed to support it.
The landmark Anchor Inn at Hutton will shut down at the end of October as a victim of Covid.
The Post understands the traditional alehouse is to be replaced by an American-style restaurant.
Landlord Peter Sutcliffe blamed the pandemic and a reluctance by villagers to return after lockdown as the primary cause of the shock closure.
"Covid hit us hard - it's had a huge effect on our business," he told the Post.
"Since lockdown people just haven't returned in sufficient numbers to make it profitable. It's the classic case of if you don't use it you lose it."
Peter broke the news on Facebook saying: "It is with a heavy heart we have to announce that the pub will be closing permanently at the end of October as the brewery are changing the site. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past two years."
Speaking at the pub later he added: "To be honest the pub hasn't made the brewery any money for the past five or six years really.
"When we took over two years ago it was doing only £2,000 a week and was on the bones of its backside. But we spent £20,000 on renovating the place and we built it up after the first lockdown to between £10,000 and £12,000 a week.
"Eat Out To Help Out helped us a lot, as it did with other businesses. But I'm sorry to say people in Hutton only want something if it's half price or cheap - not on the drink side, but certainly when it comes to food.
"The only time we filled the pub was when there were offers on. We had one where we knocked a third off and we had 70 people in. When it was full price there would be about six.
"We kept thinking things would get better once things returned to near normal, but instead it's just gone down and down.
"We talked to the brewery and they did a few things to ease our pain. But we all came to the conclusion that it's unsustainable as a public house."
There has been an Anchor pub on the site since at least 1824 - it was originally called the Blue Anchor. The current building was put up in the 1930's.
At one time the owner built a dance hall next door - now the site of an Indian restaurant - and also constructed two rows of terraced houses in Anchor Drive for staff.
"It's such a shame the village of Hutton is losing its only pub," said Peter. "A pub is a community asset. But I'm a great believer that a community gets the pub a community deserves.
"I don't mean that in a nasty way. I know people's habits have changed since Covid and if we hadn't had the pandemic then I honestly think we wouldn't have been in the situation we're in now.
"We've made some great friends here and it will be sad moving on. But we just couldn't have carried on." Peter is in the process of refurbishing the former Santander bank premises in Kirkham to open as the Kirkham Bierhaus.
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| The Anchor Inn |
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