Wirral community group launches campaign to save former Great Eastern pub in New Ferry

Mar 10 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

A COMMUNITY group is campaigning to save a landmark pub in New Ferry with historic links to Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

New Ferry Regeneration Action Group (NFRAG) applied to English Heritage this week to have the Great Eastern building on New Ferry Road, which dates back to 1862, listed as a matter of urgency.

Last week metal screens covering the doors and windows were removed and the building’s interior stripped by workers who said they were acting on behalf of the owner.

Mark Craig from NFRAG said:

“The community remains deeply concerned that the pub will be destroyed – for example torched – imminently and that this will prevent any opposition to its demolition being mounted.

“We recognise that the building is unlikely to operate as a pub again, but we do think that its conversion to housing or other uses would be a much better option.”

The building was originally a pub/hotel built to cater for visitors who came to New Ferry when it was a day tripping resort during the latter half of the 19th century.