Fitzpatrick's Temperance Bar

Fitzpatrick's Temperance Bar in Rawtenstall has been making soft drinks over 100 years.  In Victorian England, no tax on alcohol created a alcoholism problem that became a major isue in society.   Thus the temperance movement was born: no more alcohol!  A Methodist cheese-maker in Preston, Lancashire started a society whose members pledged to lay off the booze.

Many people were perfectly willing to give up the booze, but...what about our pubs, our socializing, our community gathering places?  Fitzpatrick's filled the bill.  At Fitzpatrick's people could gather to drink sarsaparilla, ginger beer, and creme soda along with the magic herbal remedies of the Fitzpatrick family (you can still get them today).

The shop, though small, is crammed with old fashioned sweets and a plethora of non alcoholic beverage options.  They even have soda on tap!  Fitspatrick's remains as the last original Temperance Bar in Britain.