The Dean Tavern 1899 - 1999
John Begg outside the original Dean
building
Andrew Aikman (centre) Tom Reid (right)
It started life as three miners cottages bought from The Lothian Coal Company for the sum £547, it was not an easy start with objections from the local Free Church,Temperance Societies and even the Abbey Inn (The Bottom Shop) who were not happy with the competition.
Right from the begining it had been decided that the Dean would operate on the Gothenburg System where the profits are used for the benefit of the community. There are many buildings standing in Newtongrange today which were built with Dean profits and many local organisations who still receive donations from the last "Goth" left in Scotland.
The present building was erected in the space behind the original cottages in 1910 at the cost of £3600. There have been several alteration over the years including the extension to the front and a Function Suite but the horshoe bar and high ceiling have been retained to keep the unique character which has made the Dean so popular over the years.