A new exhibition exploring the intriguing story of the centralisation of pubs and breweries in Carlisle under government control opens next week.

The State Management Story, which will be shown at Tullie House Museum, marks the centenary of the introduction of the unique scheme to Carlisle in 1916.

The scheme was introduced to curb drunkenness, vice and chaos in the city centre – which peaked during World War One as munitions workers from Gretna with a large disposable income fuelled an increase in drunkenness and associated crime.

There were also concerns about hungover workers dealing with explosives.

Furthermore, there were concerns about rebellion spreading across Britain as many of the workers were Irish and there had been uprisings in Dublin.

Although the scheme was meant to be temporary, it was not ended until 1973.

The pubs that remained were strictly regulated to reduce excessive drinking.

Architect Harry Redfern designed the city’s State Management pubs. He was the chief architect with the State Management Scheme when the government took over the brewing distribution and sale of liquor in the Carlisle area.

He designed 15 pubs in Carlisle and the surrounding area during the 1920s and 30s, to make them more attractive and family-friendly and to discourage binge-drinking.

Darts and bowls were introduced to the pubs to keep customers’ minds off the evils of drink.

Viv Dodd, secretary of Carlisle City Centre Business Group, helped to create the state management pub trail that takes in 16 of the city’s bars which were involved in the system.

His group has been working with Tullie House Museum to put together the exhibition and a series of events including a talk, walking trail and beer festival, to mark the centenary.

He said: “It really is tremendous to see the exhibition and all the events associated with it.

“State management was unique to Carlisle and that is something we have been building on. We are tremendously excited about this and the benefit it will bring to Carlisle.

“We have had interest from people in America and Australia.”

Lottery funding helped pay for the setting up of the State Management pub trail and there are also exhibitions in about 20 pubs – each telling a different part of the story.

Mr Dodd said: “Part of the lottery grant was for a three month exhibition at Tullie House and this is it. It really is a tremendous exhibition.”

The scheme was unique to Carlisle.

“It influenced the design of pubs both inside and outside, making them more comfortable.

“It got people into an environment where they wouldn’t just pour as much alcohol down their necks as possible.

“It really did have a major impact on social life around the country,” said Mr Dodd.

Mr Dodd will give a talk on August 2 as part of the State Management centenary celebrations exploring some of the myths and realities of the scheme.

He said: “Some said it was dreadful in 1973 when the scheme came to an end. The price of beer went up.

“But it also had its pluses because there was a greater choice in what you could drink. People started travelling to other cities and seeing what people did there so it brought about change. Also many people welcomed the fact that civil servants were no longer running the pubs.”

The exhibition, which is a collaborative project between Tullie House Museum and the Carlisle City Business Group.

It runs until September 4.