Blue Bell Inn, Annan

In 1917 all the pubs in Annan became part of the Gretna State Management Scheme, one of a handful of such schemes in the UK, and they continued to be owned by the government until 1972. The idea was to control the consumption of alcohol by workers in the munitions factories at Gretna and, under the scheme, the Blue Bell was refitted and is not much changed since. This former coaching inn, where Hans Christian Anderson is said to have stayed, dates back to 1770, but the red sandstone building is now mainly mid 19th-century, although it still retains its stables at the rear. The main change in the last 50 years has been the removal of a sliding screen on the left of the entrance which gives the pub an open-plan feel. All the walls are covered in inter-war panelling, as is the bar counter, but the counter top and back gantry have been replaced in the past 30-odd years. There was a tiny snug on the right-hand side until the 1970s. A short flight of steps to the left of the bar leads to the adjacent pool room.  This was formerly part of the living accommodation and there is nothing of historic interest.  The gents' is intact with its panelled ante-room, tiled inner room and original Shanks urinals.