Ship Inn, Swinton
A weekend night around Swinton was a very popular activity in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Swinton was the place to be and people would travel from far and wide from around South Yorkshire to get here.
The three main venues were the Red House, Ship Inn and the Tow Path (latterly called the Canal Bar). Other nearby watering holes included the Don Hotel, Station Hotel, Swinton Bottom Club and Swinton Victoria Club.
The decline of the above pubs seemed to occur sometime between 1999 and 2004, but when exactly? Did something happen to cause the decline? Personally, I put it down to a shift in tastes. The Ship Inn etc were basically traditional pubs and the younger generation wanted more trendy ‘bars’ that sold cocktails in a more refined atmosphere.
The Canal Bar was the demolished in 2006 and the Ship Inn in 2012. The Don Hotel closed for business in early 2010 and is now a catering and retail establishment.
Did you ever have a night out around Swinton? Have you any photos or stories to share? Did you perhaps meet your future husband/wife around Swinton?
WEEK 42 
November 23, 2020 at 21:08
My mum and dad ran it from 1966 to 1978. Audrey & Melvin Ellis