Coventry Pubs

Now known as The Coventry Oak, recently renovated and painted bright orange !

Thank you Midland Red for that, next time I pass I'll make sure I have sunglasses on

Yes Keith, that's the one, opposite the shops. Used to be a Pearks's general provisions store there, many years ago. Correct me if I am wrong. During the war we lived in Limetree Avenue, and we were not far from - we called it Bluebell Woods. 'Them's the days' Dad worked at the Standard then, did a lot of night shifts and said he watched many a 'dogfight' in the big spot lights.

OMG, one bright orange and the other a Chinese!! What the Hell are we coming to? They were both nice pubs - once. In the area I live a number of nice 30s pubs are being or have been bought up by Tesco and used as Tesco Express or Metro outlets. I don't know which is worse.... Quite honestly, the reason most are closing is (a) the price of booze, dictated by the breweries, (b) the greed of the breweries translated into ridiculously high leases (the pub in our village had this problem, but was sold to a private buyer, and is now a free house) ; and of course, (c) quite rightly, you can't drink and drive any more. OK, they can do food, but there are plenty of restaurants these days, and they are often better and either cheaper, or more exotic. It's hard to see how many pubs can even hope to survive.

The `General Wolfe` now has a `to let` sign on it so I suppose it will go the same way as the Rose and Woodbine, on the Stoney Stanton Road which is now completely boarded up and appears derelict.

Yes it's such a shame to see such lovely buildings going this way, I just can't understand why some one doesn't snap them up or the owner rent to cover the council tax plus a little extra, even if it's to show art or historic stuff any thing other than let them go to rack and ruin, but then nowadays it's all about money isn't it.

It's amazing how many Pubs I have seen with those signs on recently: The Minstrel Boy, The Cedars, The Rocket, Dun Cow in Warwick, Tipperary Inn between Balsall and Hatton etc etc.

Maybe they - the landlords or whoever - should provide eateries and entertainment for the younger set. That seems to be what they prefer these days. It looks as if the restaurants and clubs are taking over now with all their 'designer' drinks. They like to eat and drink now. Cant be content with a packet of crisps or meat pie like the old days, and I am sick of being told I have to move with the times !!!!! It will be a case of if you don't eat then you can't have a drink.

OMG - I remember the Tipperary Inn - it always looked a decent place. There are two big problems though for all pubs: the price of alcohol, and the price of the lease. Our village pub used to be great, then the brewery (or rather owners) trebled the lease. The landlord couldn't afford it, so he left. Then others tried, and they too left. Then it was put up for sale, and the people who bought it, from Essex, tried doing food (which the first landlord had done anyway). It wasn't bad for a time, and we often went there. Then the quality dropped off. Then he got rid of the bowling club - more lost customers. His wife died of cancer some time back. His daughter wasn't too interested, and after his wife died he closed the kitchen and has never entered it since. Now it's run down - and it's a nice building dating back to 15-something - and not many people go in. I doubt it would be saleable because the takings can't be wonderful, and it needs a lot of money spent to bring it up to scratch. The last time we went in there, several years ago, it smelt pretty off-putting, and that was it for us. I'd take a bet that in a few years it will be sold and demolished for yet more housing. I wouldn't mind betting that a lot of pubs go through a similar sort of train of events, and end up not taking enough to sell except for redevelopment.

Until recently I live in Berkswell for 10 years and The Bear never seemed to welcome locals as drinkers. Always aimed as an eatery more than anything. Didn't stop me going though that said. My sister lived in Oz Dreamtime - remember being at amused at her 'local' outside of Melbourne being about half an hours drive away!

Was it the Bear and Ragged Staff or the George at the bottom of Berkswell Hill? I think both were rather "upmarket" weren't they - for which read "for drinkers/eaters from Hampton in Arden, I guess... What about, was it the Saracen's Head in Balsall Common? That was a bit snooty too, though we did go there occasionally. Talking of Berkswell, did you ever drink from the well? As a youngster, cycling out there with a friend, we were loaned cups and allowed to try it, and nice water it was too. I bet you wouldn't want to try it now though..

May have been The Bear and Ragged Staff once Keith but known as just 'The Bear' for many years now. The Saracens Head still going too in Balsall - not bad grub - they are always marketing 2 for 1 meals and pretty good for families. To be fair theres some good Pubs that way. Never drank from Berkswell but it is maintained and still produces pretty clear water by all accounts though usually full of leaves this time of year. I owned part of the Stable Block at Berkswell Hall which is now converted into Apartments/Houses. The surrounding land is still owned by the Wheatley-Hubbard family - great place to bring up two young boys! We had the run of the estate!

The Kwick Chick in The Burges was run by the father of Martin Marquez (of "Hotel Babylon") and John Marquez (of "Doc Martin") - they lived in Binley Woods and Martin attended King Henry VIII Grammar School Martin's daughter is Ramona, Karen in "Outnumbered"

In the 80s my young friends (teenage lad) mother was the manageress of the Kwick Chick you don't want to know what the lads used to do with the food there, hence me never eating out along with other things I've seen in my time

Am I correct that 'The General Wolfe' has closed down? That makes me feel very sad. It must have been a very grand building when it first opened. We had our wedding reception there at Christmastime in 1969. I can't find very much info on the net about the place so any info would be greatly appreciated. Gilly