The Majestic Hotel (or Magic Sticks, as it is often called) has been a landmark and meeting place at the junction of Duke Street and Michaelson Road since time immemorial. That splendid iron and glass awning may look shabby but to be fair, it doesn’t look any shabbier than it did forty-odd years ago when I first remember it. The Majestic’s cavernous and rather insipid bar closed down a few months ago, and the space subsequently reopened as a pasta and pizza joint which seems to be very popular. A much smaller bar seems to be in the process of fitting out. Through the window I have noted handpumps on the new bar, so this may be a hopeful sign.
The Majestic has been celebrated in verse, by local poet Robert Straughton. Barrow didn’t only build ships for other countries, it trained the crews too, and during their training they spent time in Barrow with their ship. Because of its proximity of the shipyard, the Majestic was a popular watering hole for sailors, some of whom later found themselves on opposing sides as in the Falklands/Malvinas conflict. Straughton wrote:
Barrow-built carriers and Barrow-built subs
Hunted Barrow-built frigates
Santísima Trinidad bore Barrow-trained men
Sheffield was her sister
Their crews sank
Pints together in the Majestic Bar
Posted by enitharmon 
