This was run by George Crockford for year and he was responsible for the blue formica bar and the installation of the Goodison Place nameplate to which he added an 'a' to make 'Palace'. He also refuses to serve those miscreants who chose to drink in the Egerton Social Club aka 'The Crackers Club' and would, upon seeing them trying to gain admittance when he opened in the evening, promptly place them in the gutter outside. When he left, the tenancy was taken over by John Gilmour, a former Cunard Yankee, who ran the place until about 1997.
A (slightly?) older photo. Crockford was a really good bloke and kept a tidy pint. The later bloke I did not like and not because I used to go in the Crackers!
Only went in the Crackers Club in late 60s once and was terrified. The place was full of bouncers from the various clubs in New Brighton who went there for a drink after their clubs closed for the night The lad I was with was a bit of a boxer and seemed to know a lot of them. You used to go in up a large flight of stairs (didn't fancy getting chucked down them