The Oriental bar, 4 Finnieston Street, Glasgow was one of twelve
public houses on this old street. The pubs on this street were full of
sailor's, mariner's, engineer's, labourer's from all over the world.
In 1853 Robert McLellan was the first publican to run this public
house. The following year James Paterson, wine & spirit merchant
acquired the licence. James resided with his family at 3 Minerva Street,
Glasgow.
Mr Robert McLellan served the locals here until 1865.
Alexander McGregor was the next spirit merchant to take over this
pub. Mr McGregor made a good living from this pub. He lived with his
wife and family firstly at 123 Kent Street in the east end of the city
before moving to better accommodation at 50 St Vincent Street. Alex
McGregor sold up in 1877.
The next spirit merchant to run this
pub was James Smith from 1878 to 1890.
From 1891 to 1895 Henry
Skinner was the holder of the licence before well-known wine and spirit
merchant John Douglas took over.
Mr John Douglas was a member of
the Tradeston Defence Association in the early part of 1900s. He also
owned pubs at 46 Cook Street, 465 Cathcart Road. Mr Douglas stayed as
licensee until 1910.
Mr John Douglas was born in Florence Street
off Cumberland Street in the Gorbals area of the city. He was educated
at the local school and then on to Hutcheson's School under Mr Thomas
Menzies, F.E.I.S.
After leaving school he worked in some minor
situations, but this was not for John. He then entered the service of
the well-known firm of Messrs Mowatt Bros., flour importers, as a
traveller and cashier, a responsible position and arduous position, in
which he wrought not only in Glasgow, but the whole of the West of
Scotland.
John remained in this position for seven years. He then
went on to work for Colonel Menzies of "Auld Scottie" famed whisky. He
left this firm after four years. He was entertained by Colonel Menzies
and his wife, giving him many gifts for his hard work.
He then
left Glasgow to work in London to represent the well-known firm of
Messrs John Walker & Sons, Ltd, distillers, whisky and wine merchants
and brokers of Kilmarnock.
John Douglas then got married to Miss
Skinner, daughter of Mr Henry Skinner, one of the best known and most
respected members of the trade. After being in London for over two
years, hearing that his father-in-law was very ill and anxious to retire
from active business life, Mr Douglas was induced to resign his position
in London, returned to Glasgow.
He then purchased a public house
at 465 Cathcart Road and 4 Finnieston Street. A week after opening the
business in Glasgow his father-in-law died.
John was a strict
businessman and attended his premises every day. John also managed as
trustee of the late Mr Skinner public house at 46 Cook Street, which
licence was also carried on in his name.
Mr Douglas was nothing
if not social. He was much sought after by the promoters of Smoking
concerns and other social gatherings, where his genial presence, capital
song, and other flowing goof humour made him a welcome guest and
acquisition.
John was a zealous Mason of "Athole" Lodge, no. 413,
an old Oddfellow of Lodge "Queen Victoria", and a prominent member of
the Bank Burns Club, a member of the Wine, Beer, and Spirit Trade
Benevolent Association, a bowler with the Cathcart Bowling Club.
He was also a proficient swimmer, fond of pictures and a keen cultivator
of flowers.
David F Gunn then took over the business, David ran a
successful pub here until 1931. Mr Gunn survived the depression of the
WW1 which was very hard work during war times. Many pubs closed
sometimes for two days because of the shortage of beer.
Michael
Foley another well-known Glasgow wine and spirit merchant took over in
1932. Michael also owned the Oriental Bar in Govan Road.
In 1937
Alexander Grant was the licensee, Alex was still running this pub until
the early 1940s.
William Gallagher ran the Oriental Bar from 1945
until around 1967, the pub was then demolished. |
