On Valentines Day 2009 an iconic Blackpool Building was lost forever, Yates Wine Lodge to many was a sentimental ‘Watering’ hole in the Blackpool Town Centre.
It is Britain’s oldest pub chain. Its motto was moderation is true temperance. Peter Yates (22 April 1854–1944), the founder, came from Preston. He was sent to Spain to learn about wine, and his brother went to the US to learn about business methods.
The first Yates Wine Lodge opened in Oldham in 1884. Peter died in 1944 aged 90. The company was based at 54 Carnarvon Street in Manchester until 1997.
In earlier times, it invented its own range of drinks which it called Blobs, which consisted of sweet Australian wine and brandy, (a fortified wine), sugar, lemon and hot water. The interior of the pubs had a Victoriana feel and look.
The late 1990s Cool Britannia hedonistic era was (financially and culturally) the most lucrative time for the pub brand. This was also the introduction of alcopops, which supercharged Britain’s pub culture, and benefited Yates’s.
Its taken 9 years and lots of discussions but the Premier Inn North Pier will very shortly be opening its doors, and what an amazing transformation..
Thank you for reading..
Copyright Peter Mowbray Live In Blackpool
