The best of rivals
Published at 10:40, Saturday, 05 May 2012
THE Queen’s Arms is going strong after several centuries but it used to have a rival at Biggar Village on Walney.
Biggar’s alternative watering hole was called the New Inn – even though it gained its drinks licence as early as 1869.
It must have seemed new compared to its near neighbour which has part of its building dating to the mid-17th century.
Some of the beams in the Queen’s Arms are said to be from ships wrecked in the Spanish Armada of 1588.
Until the New Inn opened, it is likely the Queen’s had no formal name – it didn’t need one.
There are records of a beerhouse at Biggar in 1753 when it was run by Jeff Hool.
By 1858 a John Spencer is noted as an innkeeper in the village.
The New Inn was bought in 1929 by Barrow-based drinks firm James Thompson.
Thompson’s had their own range of beers which were brewed under licence by Hartley’s at Ulverston.
The Barrow firm also supplied fizzy drinks in bottles and blended its own spirits.
Biggar’s New Inn served its last drinks on April 18 in 1973 and is now a private house.
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Email alerts
Latest videos
Hot Jobs
Featured companies
Search for:
Vote
 |
 |
- Pirelli factory death probe ordered tougher safety measures
- See the full list of Cumbrian offences plus the latest H&S advice
- £1.7BN INVESTMENT IN CLEANING UP SELLAFIELD
- Cumbria sets up links with Chinese university
- BT to recruit engineers for Cumbrian superfast roll-out
- Reward for west Cumbria's unsung tourism ambassadors
- £100m turnover in sight for Cumbrian recruitment firm
Quick links
Visit our websites for...
- Police want to speak to two drivers in Lindal fatal collision investigation (41 comments)
- Furness Academy in Barrow placed under special measures (217 comments)
- Girl dies after being hit by minibus on A590 between Barrow and Ulverston (11 comments)
- Low drop out rate for brave Keswick to Barrow participants despite harsh conditions (11 comments)
- Barrow brawl victim moved to Preston for treatment (12 comments)
- Furness Academy in Barrow placed under special measures (217 comments)
- Cumbria police to target illegal and unsafe motorbikes during bank holiday operation (41 comments)
- Police want to speak to two drivers in Lindal fatal collision investigation (41 comments)
- Eight years for arsonists who torched Dalton beach kiosk for thrills (33 comments)
 | ||||||||||||
|
 | ||||||
|
Coach, camping and festival tickets available
Book Now with only £45 deposit
Weston Park Staffs, 16-19 August
• Click here to order
 |
 To save our contact details direct to your smartphone simply scan this QR code |
 |
| Evening Mail Going Out |
| Boosting Barrow and Furness |
| Love your life, Live your life | Community news pages - join the Facebook page for your town or village |
