Name: The Royal Oak
Address: 17, Market Street, Chorley
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| The Original Royal Oak Hotel |
The Royal Oak Hotel was one of the oldest coaching inns in Chorley and records show it was in existence in the late 1700's. The below press cutting shows the bankruptcy of one John Lunt of the Royal Oak back in 1797.
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| Chester Chronicle 24 February 1797 |
Subsequent landlords at the Inn were John Richardson (1811), William Darling (1814), John Sharples (1818), Peter Eastwood (1822-24), John Salt (1835-39), Mary Salt (1841), Michael King (1849-51), Mary Litherland (1861), James Entwistle (1871-74), Samuel Elsworth (1881-82), Mrs Sarah A Shuttleworth (1889), Susannah White (1891), John Harrison (1901), Jonathan Dewhurst (1911), James Jenkinson (1921), Margaret R Jenkinson (1936), Andrew Aston (1970-77) and David Mallalieu (1977-80).
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| Manchester Mercury 18 June 1811 |
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| Manchester Mercury 25 June 1811 |
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| Commercial Directory of Chorley's Inns 1818-20 |
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| 1841 Census |
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| Preston Chronicle 10 March 1849 |
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| 1851 Census |
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| Leicester Journal 04 June 1852 |
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| Preston Chronicle 19 April 1856 |
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| 1861 Census |
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| Rear of the original hotel in the 1920's |
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| 1871 Census |
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| 1881 Census |
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| 1891 Census |
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| 1901 Census |
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| The Royal Oak and White Horse Inn - top of Market Street c.1900 |
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| 1911 Census |
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| 1921 Census James Jenkinson |
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| Lancashire Evening Post 28 October 1937 |
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| c.1936 Demolition of the Original Royal Oak from Market Street |
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| Lancashire Evening Post 02 November 1937 |
Lancashire Post Friday 08 June 2018
The former market town pub is in the first stages of being demolished to make way for parking spaces. Has work started yet on demolishing the Royal Oak? It might not be obvious but, yes, it has begun and the roof has been taken off, although the actual building is yet to be taken down. When will it be done? Work to demolish the vacant Oak House building is on track with a new car park to be in place by the end of July. It was due to be opening this month but workmen had found more asbestos in the building. Preparations for the demolition started after Easter. Chorley Council is undertaking the work ahead of its work building the Market Walk extension. The authority wants to free up as much car parking space as possible so that the town can provide plenty of space for shoppers. Why is The Royal Oak being torn down? To make way for an extra car park which will join onto the Cleveland Street car park. Chorley Council says the building will make way for 28 extra parking bays. But many in Chorley have fond memories of the Royal Oak, why can’t it be kept? Leader of Chorley Council coun Alistair Bradley has said in the past: “The former Royal Oak building has been empty for some time, with no interest from anyone in re-opening it, so we think it’s better to put that site to good use rather than letting it stand derelict for another ten years.” What are the plans for the area more generally? Eventually the council’s longer term vision is to create a larger civic square opposite the town hall but in the meantime the space will serve as a car park. The priority is to get the extension to Market Walk completed.
Read more at: www.lep.co.uk
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| Demolished - July 2018 |
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| August 2018 |
Hi, By way of an intro, I am the author of the Pubs in Preston blogspot. I like the look and layout of your site - well done!
ReplyDeleteI have a record of a series of lectures being given in the Assembly Room of the Royal Oak Inn at the end of September 1833. They were given by Moses Holden of Preston, a well-known astronomical lecturer. Are you aware of this, and more importantly can you add anything to the bare fact? I've written a book about Moses, and am preparing a second edition. Best, Steve Halliwell
Thanks Steve. I have no previous knowledge of Moses Holden unfortunately. The Royal Oak was such an important part of social life in the town centre throughout the 1800s and early 1900s and used for all sorts of events like many otherds during that time. Adrian Smith signposted me to your blog a couple of years ago, which is a terrific record for Preston's heritage. I've started researching some of the outlying villages recently e.g. Longton, Penwortham etc. so have provided web-links to some of your pages where landlords moved between premises. Good to collaborate. All the best, Richard.
DeleteI lived in Chorley. The Royal Oak Hotel was the place especially Xmas lunch and New Year’s Eve. I saved up and had lunch there at 14. It was the poshest place in town. How sad now a parking lot. The Odeon cinema also where the manager wore black tie at night. Good memories
ReplyDeleteMy Grandfather Thomas Amos Scott (T A Scott & CO) conducted many of his auctions in the Royal Oak, usually on a Tuesday evening, auctioning everything from tractors to farms, houses, pubs throughout the county and even a skating rink.
ReplyDelete