The Chieftain

From 1871 to 1933 Morecambe was a small but busy harbour town which housed the infamous ship breakers yard at the Stone Jetty. Breaking down redundant ships was a large part of Morecambe’s income, second only to the fishing industry which included the muscle and cockle farming industries. Central to the community was the Chieftain Inn which served as a welcome sanctuary to all of the hands which made up the work forces and the thriving townsfolk.

Originally built in 1850 as a coaching hotel (Proprietor: Mr S Fletcher 1869) The Chieftain has grown and adapted to meet the needs of increased business, as more industry came more accommodation was needed and so the hotel was extended many times.

From its early days, Morecambe (Poulton-le-Sands) became the Victorian seaside resort of Morecambe, with its spectacular Bay (the second largest in the country) and glorious views of the Lake District is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Lancashire. As Morecambe grew into a successful holiday destination for many of Lancashire’s rich and working class families alike the seaside town expanded around the still successful Chieftain Public House. From a local fisherman’s haunt, it developed into a much loved central drinking establishment for locals and by the 1950s and 60s the new found tourism industry. By this time The Chieftain now in the hands of one Wilson family, who ran the pub successfully over 2 generations, and for 50years!

Up on taking over the pub in 1984 Bernard and Linda established real determination to keep the pub traditional in character but improve on its service and entertainment. Bernard and Linda developed the pub to the current day, creating a beautiful and noticeable landmark within the central area of the town.

One of the key original features of this pub is the famous oval bar, with its quaint window effect openings. This window into the past is at the heart of the pub, and still today, amazes new visitors as very few pubs have this feature in the UK.

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Previous Landlords and Ladies:

• 1869 – Mr S Fletcher
• 1901 – Mr Walmersloy
• 1934 – Mr Daniels
• 1946 – Mr Wilson : succeeded by family members Jack Benson (Morecambe FC) and then Bill Edge.
• 1981 – Managed House
• 1984 – Bernard and Linda Shaw to present