Opening of the British Workman Public House in Irvine

On the 13th of July, 1881, the British Workman Public House was opened in Irvine by Provost Brown at 1pm.

The British Workman Public House movement began in the North of England during the 1860s and spread across the country with the aim of providing alcohol free public houses.  They offered free reading rooms with books, magazines and newspapers and cheap affordable food, such as filled rolls, scones, hot pies and biscuits along with hot and cold drinks.  Games such as billiards, chess, dominoes and draughts were provided for entertainment.

In 1879 the Irvine temperance movement began to raise money by subscription to build a British Workman Public House in Irvine.  The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald of 13th September 1879 stated that a site had been chosen for the public house in Halfway, but later records reveal that it was built at 12 Loudon Street, Irvine.

Those involved in promoting the movement were chemical manufacturer Mr William Henderson of Williamfield; Captain Boyle of Shewalton; Mrs Mure McCreadie and Misses Mary R. Mure and Helen J. Mure of Perceton; Rev. Hugh Jeffrey, Mrs Hugh Alexander, Mr H. F. Boyd, Mrs W. Lindsay, banker William McJannet, and Mr R. Brown.

Sadly, the chief promoter, Rev. Hugh Jeffrey, a retired minister who had returned to his native Irvine, died in February 1881 before his dream was fulfilled.

The British Workman Public House opened on Wednesday 13^th July 1881.  Consisting of two stories with attics, the red stone building was designed in an Italian style, by Irvine architect John Armour, Jnr.

The entrance led directly into a large Coffee Room, set up in restaurant style with a bar.  To the left of the Coffee Room was a smaller room for conducting private business.   Behind the Coffee Room was the Ladies Room and toilets.  Adjacent to the bar area was the kitchen, fitted with a Dow’s patent range.

On the first floor were two bathrooms fitted out with hot and cold water and the Recreation Room which measured 34½ feet by 16 feet, which was to be used for meetings, club events and tea parties.  Off of the Recreation Room were two smaller rooms.  On the right was the Smoking Room and on the left was a room of similar proportions which could be transformed for any purpose, but most likely would have become a reading room.

In the attics were the manager’s flat, along with two double bedrooms, a single bedroom and bathroom for paying guests.  The manager’s flat consisted of a room and kitchen which was the standard accommodation for that time period.

It was intended that the grounds at the rear of the Public House would be transformed into a bowling green and Quoiting Ground.

Amongst those who visited the newly opened British Workman Public House was the ex-Premier of Canada Alexander Mackenzie and his wife.  They were shown around the premises on the afternoon of Saturday 6^th August 1881 during their visit to Irvine, by the manager Mr Cross, after which they had tea in the Ladies Room before catching the 7.23pm train to Glasgow.

By 1895 the building was known as the Coffee House.  Sadly, the British Workman Public House Company which owned the property went into liquidation in 1906.