C O N T E X T 1 2 8 : M A R C H 2 0 1 3 19 The heritage of of leisure The heritage The heritage of leisur ge of leisure The h The heritage of leisure of leisure The h heritage because we are dealing not just with buildings but with businesses which must succeed in attracting sufficient customers in a world where just the beery basics are usually not enough. Our experience is that, whatever the size of the pub, whatever its location and whatever its architectural style, you can make it a success with a bit of flair and imagination, and a lot of hard work. Everyone reading this can play their part by popping into their nearest Inventory pub for a pint or more. Cheers! Paul Ainsworth has been an active CAMRA member since 1980 and chair of its Pub Heritage Group since 2003. Laurieston Bar, Glasgow, lounge (Photo: Michael Slaughter LRPS (Far left) The Punch Bowl,Worcester, public bar (Photo: Michael Slaughter LRPS) TheVictoria, Great Harwood, servery (Photo: Michael Slaughter LRPS) Worcester, built in 1959 for Banks’s brewery.This is the most complete surviving multi-room pub of the era we have yet found, retaining nearly all its original fittings and with only one room suffering significant alteration. Yes, it is entirely unremarkable as a piece of architecture, but as a slice of social history it is arguably priceless.We have applied for it to be listed: the verdict from English Heritage will be very interesting. Up in Glasgow, the Lauriston Bar is perhaps the most intact 1960s pub still existing. The public bar is quintessentially of the period, with its formica-topped tables and bar counter, curved suspended structure above the bar and period ceiling panelling. It even has a heated glass food display unit of around 1960. The lounge is smarter but still redolent of the era, as indeed is the exterior, down to the distinctive lettering and tiny patterned tiles. Since starting the Inventory project over 20 years ago, CAMRA has raised the profile of historic pub interiors considerably. It has helped many of these pubs not just to survive but to thrive.The task is made more challenging
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