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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: suzie1998 on Friday 01 October 10 12:45 BST (UK)
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My Grandmother, born Margaret Reece, alway said that her cousin had some cafes in Liverpool called Reece's. I know one was in Parker Street. Does anyone remember or know anything about them? Also does anyone know anything about the family who owned them?
Any help would be appreciated as I live in Wales.
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Reeces was very well known in Liverpool (before my time but I remember a lot of talk about it) if you google Reece's Liverpool you will find out quite a lot I think. One site that mentions the restaurant was http://www.manchesterbeat.com/venues/liverpool/reeces/reeces.php
and also some comments on the YoLiverpool site http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?5520-Reece-s-(Bakery-)(Brownlow-Hill-)
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There is a good pic on Flickr.com of the old Reeces cafe advertisement, it also lists the addresses of the other cafes....I will try and get the link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44435674@N00/374991118/sizes/z/
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Wow, I had no idea it was such a big business. 1 restaurant, 8 cafes, a bakery and a creamery. I read that it was bought out by Unigate in the late 70's - shame.
However, I still don't know anything about the family other than S. Reece & Sons Ltd. I can see I'm going to have to dig a bit more into the Reece family tree - maybe go sideways rather than back in time but thanks to both of you, it made interesting reading.
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I'm surprised non of the more senior members have mentioned The Tea Dances at Reeces or the Friday/Saturday night dances. Me, I was a regular Friday nighter......had to leg it for the last bus or face a long walk.
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Hi, it's lovely to hear from you, it sounds like you had loads of fun :) and I hope not too many nights walking home! lol
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Ooooh. That was a 'blast from the past' ;D
Didn't they used to have a rocking horse to help keep kiddies entertained?? I'm sure I remember sitting on it. It was such a treat to go to Reece's.
Happy days! R. :)
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Sorry, can't find the other thread now. But this used to be part of the set up seemingly
http://nwex.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6001
And there's a whole collection of pics here
http://davidsphotos.fotopic.net/c1897443.html
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I can remember the cafe on Clayton Square, where my Mum would take us occasionally.
I don't see any reference on the posts above to the dairy, which was on a site in Hawke Street, just up Brownlow Hill at the back of the Adelphi.
I can remember that Reece's milk bottles were squarish in cross section!!
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Cant remember a Rocking Horse in Reeces,
but there was definitly one in Blackers store in Elliot street liverpool.
sorry nothing to do with Reeces it just brought back memories
best wishes
johntree
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Yep, there was
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/exhibitions/blackers/
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There were many Reeces cake shops around Liverpool and the Wirral too I think. There was one in Tuebrook where I lived.
I was a regular at dances on the the first floor and the third in the late 50s. There were big pillars in the middle of the floor which were a pain. Good band, no jive allowed, can't just recall name of band leader who soon tapped the shoulder of anyone trying to jive.
I was under the impression that a son of the Reece family was Brian Reece a radio and film actor who was P.C. 49 in the regular programme of that name. He was born on the Wirral.Thursday was the best night for dancing, Saturday was a bit of a scrum.
It was handy as most of the trams stopped right outside. Happy days.
Humphpaul
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The 1968 Kelly's directory lists the business as 'wholesale and retail dairymen; creamery proprietors; wholesale and retail confectioners; caterers.
The creamery was at Malpas, Cheshire.
The dairy side of the business was run from Hawke Street - derelict for some time but under the hammers last time I passed. They had distribution depots around the area as well, including one near Greenbank Road.
Milk Depots: a dozen around the region
Restaurants: Parker St, Leigh St, Bold St, Dale St and Bromborough.
Shops: over 30, across Merseyside
It was for some time - 1940s-50s? - under the same ownership as Lewis's stores.
The Reece family had links with the Blakes, who had the big Ford dealership. One of the Reeces lived in Cressington Park, long ago.
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My partner was an apprentice mechanic in reeces garage in the 70's. It was situated in Hawke Street, the building was still there up until last year when sadly it was demolished.
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Hi,
I have a bit of information about the Reece family. Reece's Dairy was started by Samuel Reece , who lived in Wallasey. Samuel married Jane Youd in Liverpool in 1868. In 1901 he lives in Mill Lane, Poulton and his occupation is milk contractor. By 1911 he has died and his widow Jane lives in Highfield House, Mill Lane. Samuel and Jane had 8 children, all alive in 1911, at least two carried on the family business.
Frederick Arthur Reece describes himself as dairyman & managing director. He married Mabel Drinkwater and has 3 children Elfida, Arthur & Audrey. Samuel Hargreaves Reece describes himself as dairyman and cafe proprieter. He married Leonie Burkinshaw and has 2 children Enid & Leonie. Another son who is alive in 1911 is Arthur Youd Reece, who is a cotton salesman living in Moreton. He has one child Charles.
Hope this helps,
Paul
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I remember well the Reece's bakery in Moreton, on Pasture Rd near the Cross, they sold lovely cakes, fresh cream if you were lucky! They also had big tins of biscuits where you could buy them loose, pick and mix style.
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Just remembered, I think, was Reeces band leader in the 50s/60s Bill Gregson? I know he was at the Tower also. Humphpaul
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Reeces, originally a family business was bought by Lewis's LTD ( not John Lewis ) certainly before 1958 when I joined
There were cake shops throughout Liverpool and milk delivery rounds likewise. Yes they had a patent on square section milk botts. Easier to handle in smaller crates.
Parker Street Main Restaurant had Grill Room in the Basement with a band ( Ken Dodd started here) ( glass dance floor )
Ground floor was retail grocery / delicatessen ( coloured bread !!) and a small coffee bar.
1st Floor restaurant Lunch and pre theatre teas
2nd Floor Likewise
3rd Floor Ballroom ( Harry Corbett's Band )
4th floor 2 banqueting suites Walnut Room and one in Limed Oak ( Masonic Dinners most Sats.
5th Floor Kitchen and still Room ( silver cleaning and burnishing )
4 wedding Breakfasts on at same time most Saturdays
1 other restaurant and 2 Cafes.
Rendezvous Restaurant ( 2 floors )
Dale Street Cafe ( cake shop ground, cafe up)
Lyceum Cafe ( under Lyceum Club, Bottom of Bold Street.
Bakery dairy and offices in Hawk street ( behind Adelphi)
Reece family may also have interest in Ford Car sales in L'Pool
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Cant remember a Rocking Horse in Reeces,
but there was definitly one in Blackers store in Elliot street liverpool.
sorry nothing to do with Reeces it just brought back memories
best wishes
johntree
An easy mistake to make as they were more or less opposite each other - so as a child , it`s that area that brings back the Rocking Horse...which incidentally was white with red spots....unusual colour for a horse...lol...I remember Reeces and Blacklers very well...
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My Grandmother, born Margaret Reece, alway said that her cousin had some cafes in Liverpool called Reece's. I know one was in Parker Street. Does anyone remember or know anything about them? Also does anyone know anything about the family who owned them?
Any help would be appreciated as I live in Wales.
Hi Suzie
Thought you would be interested to know the old building is being re furbished and made into apartments.
It should look wonderful again. It is now listed. Did you know John Lennon had his wedding reception there when he married his first wife.
Interesting history
Regards
Erin
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http://www.reecescheese.co.uk/about-us/our-history