It has been managed by the same family for decades
Carol Ross, landlady of The Roscoe Head pub on Roscoe Street, Liverpool(Image: Photo by Colin Lane)
Brilliant photographs tucked away in the archives for years show life inside a 200-year-old city centre pub that was named the best in Merseyside. One of the oldest in the city, The Roscoe Head on Roscoe Street opened as a pub back in the 1800s.
Commemorating Liverpool historian, poet and leading campaigner for the abolition of slavery – William Roscoe -the historic pub has seen generations pass through its doors. Known and loved for its beers, it is also the “only pub in the North of England” to appear in every edition of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide since it was first published over 50 years ago in 1974.
For nearly 45 years, it has been managed by members of the same family. Landlady Carol Ross has been in charge for the last 27 years and before, her parents, Nicky and Margaret Joyce, took over the pub in the 1980s. Through the years, the pub has continued to welcome customers, as well as a recognition and awards.
In January of this year, The Roscoe Head was named ‘best in Merseyside’ by The Telegraph. But these brilliant images, courtesy of our archive, Mirrorpix, capture life inside the loved pub decades ago.
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Unseen for years, our images are bound to stir some memories for those who remember visiting in the 90s and 00s. Two images are from 1992 show outside the pub as well as landlords Nicky and Margaret Joyce inside the bar and behind the scenes.
The photos were taken as part of a Liverpool Daily Post feature in October that year as the pub was named in the Campaign for Real Ale’s Good Beer Guide and at the time had been featured in every edition since it launched 20 years prior. Speaking to the Liverpool Daily Post, landlord Nicky Joyce previously said: “My wife, Margaret, and I have been running the pub for the past six-and-a-half years.
Nicky and Margaret Joyce, landlords at the Roscoe Head pub in Liverpool. October 21, 1992(Image: Mirrorpix)
“We have done well here and we have won a few awards, including the Best Cellar Award. We are proud to have been included in this guide every years.
“There are only 33 other pubs throughout the whole country which have done the same.” During those years, the Good Beer Guide described The Roscoe Head as “the haunt of dedicated beer drinkers” and “a tiny four-roomed pub which is popular and crowded.”
One photo from the late 90s also shows Carol Ross outside the pub when she took the reigns. Another captures Carol behind the bar in the 00s – and after we rediscovered these incredible archive photos, we wanted to take another look back at the history of the popular pub.
Nicky and Margaret Joyce inside The Roscoe Head pub. October 21, 1992(Image: Mirrorpix)
Last year, landlady Carol told the ECHO how generations of customers have “become part of the family.” She said while changes have been made over time, a lot of tradition has been kept in the pub, something loyal customers have also been keen to see.
She previously said: “It was built in the 1700s but only turned into pub in the 1830s. I think it was a stables at one time and I think when they cut the buildings up to a certain rateable value on all of them so every building was the same square footage, that’s when it was altered.
“When my dad was here, in the 80s, there were was no roof on the toilet, it was outdoors. Sammy Sangster had it, then Jack and Joyce Smith had it, then my mum and dad had it for around 12 years and then me.
“I’ve had it for 27 years now. Before this was in The Philharmonic, then I took this over to keep The Roscoe in the family.”
“You know the customers, then they have their babies, then you know their kids. It’s successive really – they’re like your neighbours. Some people get a bus to here, a train to here, for the beer. We’ve got no music, no television – it’s a pure conversation pub and that’s what is special about it.
Outside the pub in 1992(Image: Mirrorpix)
‘”The tradition is being kept. Ten years ago, that was when we did our biggest refurb and customers were asked if they wanted music then and the answer was a stern no.
“When it was brewery owned, they wanted fruit machines and I said no, my dad never had them and it’s small enough. But sometimes small is beautiful.
“People know the backroom and the shelves that used to have ties on it. I lived here and I had to take them down with my mum, wash them, put the numbers on the back then make sure they went up in the same order.
“As soon as I came here from The Phil in 1997, I thought they’re coming down. It’s just little bits – I’m still growing but it’s not pushing it.
Carol Ross, the new manageress at The Roscoe Head pub in Liverpool city centre, late 1990s(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright/Reach Content Archive)
“It’s the people that make the pub, it’s the community aspect of it. That’s the beauty of a pub and that’s what you fall in love with, the community looking after one another.”
In 2020, customers will remember Carol won a long battle to buy her pub. With a passion for other businesses in the industry, Carol is also part of Campaign for Pubs, a UK grassroots campaign speaking up for pubs and campaigning to promote, support and protect our pubs.
Over the years, the pub has been loved for its beers and Carol said some of her proudest moments have been when that has been celebrated. She said: “Without a shadow of a doubt. the pub is known for its beer, always has been.
“It’s 50 years this year since we first got into the Beer Guide in 1974. I’m one of only five in the country, only one in the North.
Carol Ross inside the pub years ago(Image: TRINITY MIRROR COPYRIGHT/REACH CONTENT ARCHIVE)
“It’s not just me though – it’s my mum and dad before me, it’s been in our family for 42 years and before that it was the previous owners for eight years. But it feels good.
“I often look back and think why am I still here, why am I still one of those five, why am I still in the pub of the year challenges all year and it’s purely down to hygiene – keeping good beer. I did a beer festival in the street and it was mega.
“Only one day on a Sunday and there was loads and loads of planning for it. When I realised the enormity of what I took on I thought oh my god. But I won pub of the year that year, in 2012 – that was a momentous moment for me.”
Carol Ross has been landlady of the Roscoe Head Pub on Roscoe Street for nearly 30 years(Image: Photo by Colin Lane)
Earlier this year, Carol said she had no idea that the pub had been named ‘best in Merseyside’ by The Telegraph. , when the newspaper compiled a list of England’s 48 ceremonial counties and the single best pub in each.
It selected The Roscoe Head as the top pub in Merseyside – an establishment dating back almost 200 years with origins stretching even further to the 1700s. The Roscoe Street venue has been passed down in the family for generations and is currently run by Carol Ross.
In its article, The Telegraph said: “Landlady Carol Ross fought for ten years to buy this pub and save it from potential closure, and we should all be grateful. The Roscoe is small but wonderful, with four rooms, good beer and pies, and, invariably, excellent conversation. There are more physically arresting pubs nearby – Liverpool is blessed in that regard – but none of them beats The Roscoe Head.”
When the ECHO approached Carol, she said: “I’ve just read the article – it’s very good, isn’t it?,” then joked: “I’m in the papers more than fish and chips!”
She added: “I’m flabbergasted, to be fair. The Telegraph giving me an award for the best pub – I’m gobsmacked. It’s a proud moment.
“I’ve received lots of awards over the years and I was taught by my dad, who’s now passed. I learned everything from him and I still have the same high standards.
“I’m really happy, very proud and just made up that people love my pub. If you take pride in what you do, that pride will always shine through.”
Carol described her staff as “wonderful”, adding: “I am very lucky, I am also very proud of them. They also champion my pub and take pride in what they do.”