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Old Glasgow Pubs by john gorevan

 

R F Barr.

Aerated Water Manufacturer, 184 Great Eastern Road, Glasgow.

 

Mr R F Barr was bred to the trade of aerated water, his first experience was gained under the watchful eye of his father Robert Barr, Falkirk, one of the oldest and largest aerated water manufacturers in the trade in Scotland. In 1888 Mr Robert F Barr came to Glasgow and opened the extensive premises in Great Eastern Road now called the Gallowgate. All the latest machinery was installed, from the laboratory where all the essences and various ingredients were found, following the process of manufacture including bottling, corking, wiring, capsuling, labeling and packing. The new machinery could process dozens of bottles in a day.

Homemade Ginger beer was about the only soft drink available at one time, now with Barr's in Glasgow, customers had a variety of selected beverages to chose from including, the well known lemonade, soda water, seltzer, orangeade, pine apple, raspberry, cider, sarsaparilla, quinine water and various others. Besides these from time to time the firm brought out novelties like Ferrugine, Hop Ale and Squash. Dozens of vans left Great Eastern Road delivering to pubs, hotels, hospitals and cafes.

Barr's has now left Glasgow for good, the premises were demolished 2007, the firm has now moved to Cumbernauld.

To read more on the pubs on the Gallowgate read up & Doon the Gallowgate by John Gorevan. A copy can be bought for a few ponds at the Hielan Jessie on the Gallowgate or contact me at john@oldglasgowpubs.co.uk

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