WORK started on the demolition of one of Workington's most famous pubs last week - with the venue's bulldozing marking a new start for the town and the significant overhaul of a junction.
The Henry Curwen pub on Ramsay Brow, which dates back to the 18th century, will be demolished to make way for the £10million Workington Gateway project - with work beginning on the pub last Wednesday, August 7.
The demolition in progress signs at the rear of the building (Image: NQ staff)
Through its lifetime, the well-loved town venue has had a number of names: The Henry Curwen, The Curwen Arms, The Sportsman and latterly Henry's - with everyone in the town having their own special memories of the venue.
From weddings and christenings to foam parties and hosting the Uppies when they won the Uppies and Downies, the venue has seen many a special event.
Paul McGee outside the former Curwen Arms and Henry Curwen as Henry's Bar & Grill when it re-opened in 2015 (Image: PAUL JOHNSON)
The good memories"
Workington hospitality owner Paul McGee bought the popular venue back in 2015, renaming it Henry’s and becoming the last owner of the iconic West Cumbrian building.
He said: “I loved the pub. Of all the places I have had or have got now Henry’s is the place where, if I had the choice, I would have that back now and just that.”
When asked about his fond memories of the pub, Paul said: “I think just watching people, my mate DJ’d Mark Lee, so when I was watching him DJ and folk were just dancing on the dancefloor.
“When football matches were on, when the World Cup and the Euros were on it was just berserk. In summer we would have DJs on in the beer garden when it was nice and sunny... them are the good memories.
“Boxing day was another great night; people would come out for their suppers and then stay for the night.”
Looking to the future and following the sale of the pub to the council for the project, Paul has opened Leo’s Steakhouse in the former Dukes Bar, hoping to bring some night time vibrancy back to the town.
He said: “Sometimes you have got to do food with the clientele we have got now. I think Workington needs food places as well as pubs, so hopefully the more that opens it will get more people back into town and bring the nightlife back a bit.”
Curwen Arms new tenants, from left, Pat Howe, Eddie Howe, Shaun Hunter and Caroline Measor in 2003. (Image: Mark Johnston)
Everyone had fun"
Over its lifetime the pub has had many a custodian, with Shaun Hunter running the pub as The Henry Curwen for two years back in the early noughties.
Speaking of his time in charge, he said: “The nightlife was so good back then, very little trouble and everyone was having fun and enjoying their nights out.”
An Ibizia foam party night at the Curwen Arms back in 2007. (Image: NQ staff)
A crown jewel of Workington"
John Hastings, a local poet, wrote a poem about Henry’s being demolished. He said: “I thought it was important to write a poem because it is a crown jewel of Workington that is going to disappear, and I don’t think it’s going to hit folk really until it’s finally gone.
"I wrote the poem based on my personal memories and also the memories that other folk who have been to Henry’s will have had.
“I’d say if someone wrote a book about Henry’s they would easily have a book full of memories from people who have visited there.”
Signage outside the pub in 1999 when it was renamed 'Ye Olde Sportsman'. (Image: NQ staff)
There are too many fond memories to mention but one that stuck out was from Suzannah Foster, whose late mother Brenda Towell lived on Curwen Street. She created some prints used in the bar when it reopened in the late 80s early 90s which were copied from Brenda's old post cards of Workington - ensuring she well and truly had her stamp on the iconic venue.
READ MORE: Workington pub knock-down begins to overhaul town junction
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