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Former Moor Lane pub the University Tavern converted into student housing

Posted on - 3rd February, 2016 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Nostalgia, Preston News, University campus
Fast Bite cafe shut down in 2015 Pic: Tony Worrall

Fast Bite cafe shut down in 2015 Pic: Tony Worrall

What was once a pub in Moor Lane has been turned into student flats.

Fast Bite cafe has been converted by Strettles letting agents into a house of multiple occupation.

The firm has applied for retrospective planning permission for the nine-bed property on the corner of Victoria Street and Moor Lane. It has been student housing since August last year.

The University Tavern pictured in 2007 Pic: Tony Worrall

The University Tavern pictured in 2007 Pic: Tony Worrall

Many people may recall the building to the right of the former Prince Arthur Hotel as being the one-time offices of Powell’s biscuit manufacturers. Powell’s factory covered a large area surrounded by Moor Lane, Ashmoor Street, Sizer Street and Victoria Street, only the hotel shared the same block as seen in the image above. With the Powell’s company expanding rapidly in the 1930’s, further premises were acquired a little further down Moor Lane in Vernon Street to extend the business which carried on until the late 1950’s. Interestingly, the whole block exists much as it has been throughout the years; however, business use has changed many times.
It is not difficult to image then, just how busy the Prince Arthur would have been during the trading years of Powell’s and I am sure that in those days the hostelry will have been a place of great profitability for the landlord and also for the other numerous public houses that existed in the area in the first half of the 20th century.

The Prince Arthur Hotel and Thomas Powell & Son Ltd., Moor Lane, Preston c.1922 Pic: Preston Digital Archive

The Prince Arthur Hotel and Thomas Powell & Son Ltd., Moor Lane, Preston c.1922 Pic: Preston Digital Archive

It was once the University Tavern, before that being JJs Sports Bar and originally the Prince Arthur Hotel which dated back to 1892. You can explore the history of the pub via the Preston Pubs blog.

The Prince Arthur Hotel Pic: Preston Digital Archive/Steven Halliwell

The Prince Arthur Hotel Pic: Preston Digital Archive/Steven Halliwell

 

Anyone wishing to comment on the plans, which are available to view on the city council website, can do so there.

Or by emailing devcon@preston.gov.uk by Saturday 20 February quoting reference 06/2016/0065

Ever drink in any of the pubs? Any memories? Let us know in the comments below

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