During the First World War, Carlisle became centre of an experiment in the state management and architecture of public houses that lasted until 1971
Carlisle was the nearest city to the huge munitions works (they were nine miles long) at Gretna and Eastriggs manufacturing cordite, known locally as the Devil’s Porridge. Thousands of workers were employed and with little else to do in their leisure time but drink alcohol, the Government of the time became concerned about the impact that drunkenness could have on the manufacture of the explosives. In 1916 the Central Control Board took Pubs and other licensed premises into State ownership in the Carlisle and Gretna areas. Four breweries and 227 licensed premises were ‘nationalised’ and rules made so that Pubs were closed on Sundays and 'spirit-less Saturdays' were introduced.
The controls that the scheme introduced were so successful that after the war, The Carlisle & District State Management Scheme was set up and managed by Home Office civil servants. They began to improve the style of pubs to encourage moderate drinking. The architect, Harry Redfern designed New Model Inns, based on an Arts and Crafts design so that they were attractive places, often with bowling greens and gardens. Managers were paid a 75% commission on sales of food and 25% on non-alcoholic drinks rather than profiting from the sales of alcoholic drink. All advertising and window displays of bottles were removed. Drink prices were fixed and ‘treating’ (buying rounds) was banned. The scheme ran until 1971 when it was de-nationalised with most of the buildings being sold to other brewery companies.
The State Brewery (now student accommodation and youth hostel ) was situated opposite where you are looking for this cache and the SMS’s headquarters were in Castle Street, opposite Tullie House Musuem. The museum has an interesting display of SMS exhibits. Many of the town’s current pubs still bear the hallmarks of the Redfern design.
Don’t forget to pop over the road and see the statue of the Cracker Packers celebrating our local history of biscuit manufacturing too