Fitzpatrick's accredited Temperance Bar in Rawtenstall has been making soft drinks for the people of Rossendale and the Lancashire regions for 116 years.

 

 

 

With no tax on alcohol, Great Britain fell under the trance of cheap ale and gin. The population, usually the working classes, could afford to be as drunk as they liked and alcoholism was amongst the greatest problems faced by Victorian England.

 

A methodist Cheese-maker in Preston, Lancashire set about establishing a society under which a pledge was taken never to drink alcohol.

The society quickly grew and expanded beyond churches and became a part of the every day life of the sober British.

 

 

The Temperace Bar was the Social outlet. Citizens of the British Empire would drink Sarsaparilla and Ginger beer and the Band of Hope children sang rousing songs about the demon drink.

 

Temperance bars were a booming trade and became a part of every day life on the high street in many towns.

 

The Fitzpatrick's were a family of herbalists who emigrated from Ireland to Lancashire in the 1800's and were counted as being the leaders of the Temperance Bar. Using the knowledge passed down through the family they sold their uniquely blended recipes in the Lancashire region.

 

 

Malachi Fitzpatrick, the last of the family, was bordering over the tender age of ninety when this photohraph was taken. He attributed his good health to the family herbal secrets that made him his living all his life. He ran the temperance bar for over 5 decades and will be remembered as one of the last true English gentlemen. His 50 years service to the valley of Rossendale will never be forgotten.

 

As new drinks were brought across from America and with the onset of industralisation and redevelopment of the North West, temperance bars waned away.

 

The site still remains because of its history, popularity and staying power. It has survived through many changes in society including attitudes towards drink, rationing during the war, imported soft drinks from America and still remains as the last remaining Original Temperance Bar in Britain.

 

This is a testament to its atmosphric surroundings, Unique brand and taste, customer satisfaction and to the loyalty of the people of Lancashire.