Never Turn Back, Caister-on-Sea

Two bars in a remarkable Odeon style beach-front extravaganza built by Lacons of Yarmouth in 1957. It replaced the Manor House Hotel built in 1793 which, due to coastal erosion, fell to the beach in ruins in 1941. The main entrance is in a square two-storey tower adorned with curious panels inlaid with abstract patterns of flint, brick and stone. To one side is a tall, slim, oval sub-tower with the Lacon’s falcon perched on top. The single storey flat roof bars are right and left, each with a veranda supported by brick pillars. Bar counter in bar on left is especially fine with brick and pebble inlays but, sadly, was covered in 2011 by new wood panels so can not be viewed at present. In the lounge both bar counter front and panelling on the walls are new (having replaced green plastic panels !), and the fixed seating in both bars looks like it has been replaced.

Rolling shutters separated the rear section of the right hand bar until they were removed in 2007 to make the room larger for its music events. Note the two small shutter covering hatches to the servery. The rear darts area in the bar may also been separated by rolling shutters in the past? The lobby retains its original basic bench used by children to sit while their parents drank in the bar! Gents retains it original 3 big urinals. The pub name relates to “Caister Men Never Turn Back” which led to the Caister Lifeboat disaster in 1901.