LITTLE JOHN INN, Atkinson Street

LITTLE JOHN INN   #

35  (later 70 - 72)  Atkinson Street

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The complimentary pub, the "ROBIN HOOD," was next door to this one. It was across
a ginnel, and Atkinson Street became Wellington Street (later Morton Street).

Years later, and long after the pub was demolished, its name lived on in the phrase -
"A long pull at the Little John!"
A phrase that meant "an unlikely story."
p.p. Stephen Sartin in "Vanished Preston"
OR WAS IT??  See below

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MINE HOSTS:

1868 - 69             Andrew McGlaughlin

1870                    John Whittle

1870 - 71             Roger Walker

1871                    Thomas Wareing

1871                    Thomas Nightingale

1876                    John Johnson

1876 - 82             Joseph Ribchester  -  Richardson in P.C. 28.7.1877

1883 - 84             William Whalley

1884 - 85             James Hawkins

1885 - 87             Richard Bamber

1887 - 91             Henry Todd

1891 - 97             Robert Whittle

1897                    Thomas Cottam

1898 - 1902         James Mills

1902 - 13             John Taylor

1917                    W. Gornall

1924 - 28             Elizabeth Taylor  d.1928

1928 - 47             Richard Taylor   Sold to Tetleys Brewery in 1947

1948                    Harry Woodhouse

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I was born in the Little John Inn in 1927!!

My name is Robert Taylor and I was born in the pub known as 'Little John Inn'. My Grandmother was Elizabeth Taylor who died when I was 10 months old in 1928, I was born in 1927. My father Richard Taylor took over the running of the Little John when he and his sister Sarah Ball fell out and my dad bought her out. 

The Little John was a 'Home Brew House' and my dad used to brew 3 times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday and brewed approx. 300 plus gallons per brew.  He supplied 'selling out shops' and various clubs around Preston and Bamber Bridge and he did not bother about politics, he supplied both ends of the political scene. 

I was away in the army in 1947 when he sold the license for the pub to Tetleys who knew the property was to be knocked down for the flats that are now on the site but I think the ones there now are the second lot. Atkinson Street and Higginson Street disappeared. The Little John Inn' address was 72 Atkinson Street.

I believe the licence Tetleys wanted, was for a pub on one of the new estates being built in the late 40's early 50's. Harold Woodhouse took over the running of the Little John until it was demolished.
I trust this brings you up to date on the Little John.  

Thanks very much to Robert Taylor

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 Lancashire Evening Post   29th September 1920

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CENSUS RETURNS

1871

Thomas Wareing               41 years                   Beerseller                       b. Preston

Agnes Wareing                  44                            Wife                                       do

Mary E. Wareing                8                             Daughter                                 do

1881

Joseph Ribchester             28 years                   House Agent                  b. Preston

Margaret Ribchester          28                           Wife                                       do

Margaret Ribchester           3                            Daughter                                do

Richard Ribchester             3                            Son                                        do

1891

Robert Whittle                  67 years                   Beerhouse Keeper          b. Bretherton

Jane Whittle                      67                            Wife                               b. Mawdesley

Elizabeth Whittle               23                             Daughter                        b. Preston

Emma Jane Whittle            21                            Daughter                                do

1901

James Mills                       38 years                   Publican                         b. Preston

Winifred Mills                   37                            Wife                                        do

Isabella Mills                     14                            Daughter                                 do

1911

John Taylor                       56 years                  Beerseller                       b. Preston

Elizabeth Taylor                 54                          Assisting in business                 do

Sarah Alice Taylor             20                          Daughter / Cotton Rover         do

Richard Taylor                   12                          Son                                         do

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