Richard J. Hall’s Lagan Stores, c.1973 (ILC&LM Collection)
The Lagan Stores – a public house at the end of Bridge Street, just before the Union Bridge – was established in Lisburn around the mid-19th century. In 1898, Richard J. Hall of Portadown bought the premises and obtained a license the following year. He rebuilt the pub in redbrick, and the Lagan Stores remained a successful local business under its new owner. Due to its proximity to the River Lagan and the Quay, the pub was frequented by ‘lightermen’ who operated the lighters or barges that carried supplies to and from Lisburn on the canal. They were also able to purchase hay and corn for the horses that towed their barges along the towpath.
The pub continued to be run by the Hall family until it closed in 1973, and was demolished shortly afterwards to make way for the new road through Lisburn.