Quay Creative takes its name from St George's Quay, on the south bank of the River Lune.

 

Built in 1750, the Quay was a thriving port with traditional sailing ships bringing exotic cargoes from overseas - fruit and wine from the Mediterranean, tobacco and rice from America, timber from Canada, coffee and spices from the West Indies, slaves and gold from Africa. Ships also left the port taking exports such as furniture, coal, grain, linen and slate to countries around the world.

 

 

At the centre of the picture is the old customs house, built for the port commission in 1764. The building was designed by Richard Gillow, grandson of Robert Gillow the founder of renowned furniture makers Gillow & Co.

 

Most of the old warehouses have been converted into houses and apartments but still manage to retain some of their history with the painted signs of former occupiers and businesses still visible today. Three pubs remain along the Quay, although local folklore has it that in its heyday there were many more. The George and Dragon also served as a slave morgue and the Three Mariners is built on the site of a roman road where a pub has existed since the 1400s.

 

Photo of St George's Quay courtesy of Paul Mullineux.