A lost pub that was once the "new centrepiece' inside a Liverpool train station sold beef curry for £1.90.
Many of us couldn't imagine our main city stations without chains of supermarkets, food outlets, coffee shops and pubs. But decades ago, many will remember sites being a lot more basic when we started our rail journeys.
Today, Liverpool Lime Street Station is home to the likes of Boots, WH Smith, Costa Coffee, Krispy Kreme and a JD Wetherspoons. But in the 1980s, a new catering complex saw the station get a big face-lift, with a fast food restaurant and pub opening its doors for passengers preparing to leave or just arriving in the city.
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The ECHO previously reported how a Casey Jones burger branch opened in 1984, the same time the White Star bar and lounge located above it began to welcome customers. Visitors would venture up the stairs and grab a seat by the massive window that overlooked the bustling station below.
Many will remember heading to the White Star for a first pint after arriving in the city or people watching while waiting for a train home. On October 20, 1984, the ECHO reported: "Perhaps the most original, and potentially one of the most popular, must be The White Star, the new centrepiece in British Rail's restaurant complex at Lime Street Station.
"As the name suggests it is greatly influenced by the great ocean cruise shipping line which centred on Liverpool transatlantic trade. In tribute the whole of the interior has been designed accordingly with a profusion of brass and teak typical of the pre-war liners."
What are your memories of The White Star in Liverpool Lime Street Station? Let us know in the comments section below.
On November 28, 1984, the ECHO also reported how the bar and coffee lounge offered a day long snack service to customers, as well as an extensive range of drinks during licensed hours. Along with Casey Jones, The White Star pub saw hundreds of applicants apply for a job.
The article reads: "The White Star has a bar meal menu, including lasagne, beef curry, steak and kidney pie, and quiche with salads. Coffee and snacks service runs from 11am to 10.30pm. Here again the bar is open during normal licensed hours.
"A total of six supervisors and 28 staff work in the new complex. One single newspaper advertisement produced more than 500 applicants for these jobs."
At one point, commuters will remember the pub became known as Coopers, with its prominent green logo inviting people inside. But while the new businesses of the 80s lasted for many years, the days of Casey Jones and The White Star are now gone.
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Closed for some time now, The White Star is now a departure lounge. In November 1993, it was widely reported how Burger King restaurants were to appear in 17 British Rail stations, including Lime Street, following a catering deal between Compass and Grand Metropolitan.
At the time, Compass supplied refreshments on stations through its Casey Jones fast-food restaurants, but the deal resulted in Burger King – owned by Grand Met – replacing the Casey Jones brand. But Burger King has also said goodbye to Liverpool Lime Street Station in recent years.
Today, beneath what was The White Star is an M&S and a Krispy Kreme. But many still remember how the site used to look in years gone by.
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