How some of Merseyside's JD Wetherspoon got their names

Wetherspoon pubs have become a staple of almost any town or city centre.

Merseyside is home to 28 Wetherspoon pubs, each with a unique name associated with the local area. The chain pub company claims that it researches the area, before coming up with a few potential names and choosing one.

A JD Wetherspoon spokesperson said: "Wetherspoon chooses to give its pubs individual names (with a few exceptions). The company uses an individual who researches the history, people of the area where the pub is located plus the history of the building itself.

"Wetherspoon is then offered a choice of names and the reasons for each one and chooses one."

Here is the story behind some of Merseyside's Wetherspoon names.

The Fall Well

The Fall Well was historically an important source of water for its local area, and stood on the site of the Royal Court Theatre on Roe Street. The well fed the fountain and garden of William Roe, a merchant who gave his name to Roe Street and lived in Queen Square.

St John’s Way, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1LS

The Lime Kiln

A Victorian warehouse once stood on the site of the Lime Kiln, occupied by manufacturing chemists until the early 1950s. The chemical industry in Liverpool began nearby on Lime Street, which was originally called Lime Kiln Lane.

Fleet Street/Concert Square, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 4NR

The North Western

This building on Lime Street was originally the North Western Hotel, a 330-room venue built by the London and North Western Railway to serve Liverpool Lime Street Station. The hotel was designed by the renowned Liverpool-born architect Alfred Waterhouse and closed in the 1930s.

It stood empty until 1996 when the upper floors were converted into halls of residence and the ground floor became a public house which now has its original name.

7 Lime Street, Liverpool Station, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1RJ

The Glass House

The Glass House was named in honour of St Helens’ links with the glass industry since the early 18th century. St Helen’s award-winning World of Glass visitors’ centre is just minutes from the pub.

5 Market Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1NE

The Sir Henry Segrave

This pub is named after Sir Henry Segrave, who raised the land-speed record to 152mph in his 350hm 4.5 litre Sunbeam Ladybird in 1926.

93–97 Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1RH

The Watch Maker

This pub is named after Prescot’s connections with the watch trade in the 18th century.

60–62 Eccleston Street, Prescot, Merseyside, L34 5QL

The Nine Arches

This pub takes its name from the Sankey Viaduct, a grade I listed structure on the Liverpool and Manchester railway which has nine arches.

Nine Arches Wetherspoon in Newton-le-Willows won Loo of the Year award (Google)

3 Legh Street, Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, WA12 9NE

The Mockbeggar Hall

This pub takes its name from Leasowe Castle, a local landmark built in 1591 which later became run down and known as Mockbeggar Hall.

239–241 Hoylake Road, Moreton, Merseyside, CH46 0SL

The Wild Rose

The Wild Rose’s name was inspired by William Gladstone, a former Liverpool MP and Prime Minister, who spent part of his childhood in Liverpool. William Gladstone once said: “I have seen wild roses growing on the very ground which is now the centre of Bootle.”

2a & 1b The Triad Centre, Stanley Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 3ET