Whenever we pass through Barbridge Junction on the Shropshire Union Canal, there is only one place where we regularly stop...and it isn't The Jolly Tar! We'd normally visit Ye Olde Barbridge Inn which is right by the canal. However, many's the occasion when I've thought that we should pay The Jolly Tar a visit. So in 2005 we finally decided to pop in for a pint.
This photo was taken on Friday 26th August 2005. As I recall, the pub was fairly quiet and a bit of a throwback to the 70's and 80's in style.
We haven't been back inside since then, but i took this photo as we were passing by at Easter on Thursday 12th April 2012.
It has obviously been repainted in the intervening years and the colour scheme has changed from blue to red. This place always reminds me of a seaside pub.
Each year, in recent times, when we've passed by I've been surprised to see that it has still been open. Although it is advertised as a canalside pub, there is the slight problem of the A51 which runs between the pub and the canal, which must make it difficult to 'sell' to the visiting public. Sadly my fears have been confirmed and, as of writing, The Jolly Tar is closed. It would appear, from this statement, that the lease ran out on 10th March 2013 and new tenants have not yet been found. Sad, but in this current economic climate, not too surprising.
One Cheshire pub that (perhaps for obvious reasons) I never went in. As you say, it always looked towards the top of the list for closure in the current climate.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever been in the Traveller's Restjust up the road at Alpraham, which is a true classic?
Sadly not! We're always on the boat and we tend to stay in the Barbridge Inn. However, now I know about it, it's an option for future trips. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteJolly Tar is open again fokes (12/06/2013). Worth a mini pub crawl between this and the Barbridge on a sunny day. As the beer garden at the Jolly Tar is excellent with several v.good items for children to play with in the bear garden (bouncy castle ,large trampoline etc)
ReplyDeletethats the beer garden ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis pub closed 2015, then during demolition caught fire April 30th 2016. 2020, now a 17 house estate on the site. Nearest pub, the Barbridge Inn about 1/2 a mile away. Davenport Arms, the way to Chester 2 miles, also now demolished and houses in Alpraham.
ReplyDelete