David Lewis Hostel and Theatre
Great George Street, 1980
Two more photographs taken by Stan Roberts. Somewhat ironically, he has dated both photographs 1st April 1980.
This was no April Fool’s joke, unfortunately, just the end of a fine institution that had served the city well for over 70 years. My recollection was that the street and hostel had been cleared several years earlier – but Stan was never wrong. One of my earliest memories of Liverpool was going to a meeting at the University Settlement on Nile Street, which was one of the streets that ran up the hill from Great George Street to the Cathedral. The building was part of a shabby Georgian terrace but it had life and character.
David Lewis was one of those larger than life characters who illuminated Liverpool life in the nineteenth century. He had arrived in Liverpool as a 16 year-old and went on to establish Lewis’s Stores as a household name. Deeply religious and philanthropic, he left considerable funds in his will towards charitable purposes (he had already helped fund the Northern Hospital). The David Lewis Hotel (or Hostel) was built in 1906, initially as a place for seafarers. It had sports facilities and a theatre, which staged concerts for the local community (apparently it could seat 1000 people). It doubled up as a cinema, gaining its licence in 1914. I remember it as a community venue in the early 1970s when it was running as a successful youth club. Its fire certificate expired in 1977 and, as the photograph shows, its demolition followed in 1980. Another fine building to add to the lengthy ‘Lost Liverpool’ list.
I’ve not seen that building before, but heard about it often in light of recent developments at Lewis’s. That’s a beautiful entrance way; such a pity.
That photo of Great George Street brings back a few faint memories for me. The buildings there were definitely still up in the mid-to-late 70′s.
I would love to see some more photos of Great George Street from that period in time before these buildings were brought down.
Thanks for the post, Will. I have quite a few images of the street and area from the 1970s which I will post over the next month or so. Keep tuned i!
I lived off Great George Street (Hardy Street)for 30 years and spent many happy hours in the Davy Lou what a shame such a beautiful building had to be demolished.
I lived at 17 Nile Street and visited the Davy Lou on many occasions to see films or live shows. My mother who was a teacher at St Patrick’s School took me to meet Lord Woolton, who she knew, when he visited during the blitz. The building stood in what seemed like a dry paved moat, only high surrounding railings prevented us kids (aged 9) falling in.
I haven’t visited Liverpool for many years, I can see via Google how much it has changed and a visit would wipe out all my memories.
I remember this place well I always wanted to go inside it to see what it was like when I was on the bus going in or out of town. My mum told me one day it was a lovely place and she often in her youth danced on the stage in there. The stage was suppose to be on a slant if am not mistaken from what my mum told me and it made it very hard to tap-dance on.