Much Hoole - Smithy Inn

Name: The Smithy Inn

Address: Turnpike Road (now Liverpool Old Road), Much Hoole

Courtesy of WhatPub

Now Th' Owd Smithy Inn, this pub started out life as just the Smithy Inn and dates back to the early 1800s, only changing its name in 2017 by owners, the Holt Pub Company. 

It was originally located on the side of the turnpike road to Preston, a great source of passing trade but after the development of the highways in the early 1900s the village became somewhat quieter, the main road passing by to the North West. Early records give its location as "Nr. Smithy" suggesting it was either the home of the local Blacksmith or just named after the business due to its close proximity.

1844 Map

Listed landlords at the Smithy Inn were Thomas Bibby (1841), Richard Moorcroft (1851-54), William Sutton (1861), Edward Forshaw (1869-71), John Spencer (1881), Henry Barker (1891-1901), Joseph Barker (1903-11), William E Smith (1843) and Robert Victor Moore (1946).

1841 Census - Thomas Bibby

1851 Census - Richard Moorcroft

1854 Mannex Directory - Richard Moorcroft

The directory above confirms the pub was not fully licensed in the early part of the 19th century and operated on a beer license.

1861 Census - William Sutton

1909 Map

1869 Slater's Directory Much Hoole - Edward Forshaw

1871 Census - Edward Forshaw

TO BE LET, that old Established BEERHOUSE called the Smithy Inn, Much Hoole, with the Garden and Land attached. 
Apply, Glover-street Brewery.
Published: Saturday 14 June 1879
Newspaper: Preston Chronicle

Hull's Brewery Ltd was based at 6/8 Glover Court, Glover Street, Preston and was eventually acquired by Boddington's Breweries Ltd. c.1900 with 60 public houses. The building still stands to this day but has long-since ceased to be a brewery.

Hull Brewery c.1900 Glover Street

(courtesy of breweryhistory.com)

1881 Census - John Spencer

1891 Census - Henry Barker

Newspaper records confirm that the Inn was used as a local auction house by Samuel Parker in throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Inn being an important part of the local community.

1895 Kelly's Directory - Henry Barker

1901 Census - Henry Barker

Baptism: 1 Apr 1903 St Michael, Hoole, Lancs.
Irene Ellen Barker - [Child] of Joseph Barker & Alice Marie
Born: 22 Feb 1903
Abode: Much Hoole
Occupation: Inn keeper
Baptised by: E.N.Dunne Rector
Register: Baptisms 1902 - 1960, Page 2, Entry 10
Source: Original Parish Register

These baptismal records confirm that Joseph Barker had taken over from his older brother Henry at the Smithy Inn as early as 1903. The Barkers were a Much Hoole farming family, Joseph and henry's father, Matthew and his father before him, Richard working a farm in the village from the early 1800s.

Baptism: 23 Feb 1904 St Michael, Hoole, Lancs.
Mary Barker - [Child] of Joseph Barker & Alice Marie
Born: 7 Feb 1904
Abode: Much Hoole
Occupation: Inn keeper
Baptised by: E.N.Dunne Rector
Register: Baptisms 1902 - 1960, Page 4, Entry 28
Source: Original Parish Register

1911 Census - Joseph Barker

...had been refused extension of hours, was alleged against William E. Smith, licensee of the Smithy Inn. Liverpool Old-road, Much Hoole by Mr. W. O. Bern, prosecuting at to-day. when Smith was fined £5. He was also ordered to pay three guineas.
Published: Monday 20 September 1943
Newspaper: Lancashire Evening Post

1929 Map

Smithy Inn c.2013