Coventry Pubs

The only bar work I ever did was at Coventry City FC. I was taken on at the age of 16 to work in various bars around the ground. I believe an Italian chap by the name of Giovanni was the big cheese regarding catering, but the bar staff came under the supervision of a guy named Reg. Nobody seemed concerned that several of us were well under age for bar work, and I worked there for about 4 years from 1970 to 1974. It paid much better than a paper round! Couple of close escapes when a master from KHVIII walked into the Continental Bar beneath the Sky Blue stand where I was working one afternoon. Needless to say, I spent a lot of that shift in the cellar! Several Scottish guys used to frequent the bar for the whole of the match. The way they looked at it, it cost them £20 for a season ticket which they thought was a cheap price to pay for drinking throughout Saturday afternoon. Remember this was a time when pubs closed at 2-30pm. I don't think they saw a single ball kicked during my employment. Price wise, Worthington E was 16p per pint. Mild was 14p and spirits were available for 18p a shot........... served in an small ice cream tub as no glass was allowed in the bar! I recall these prices were all around 2p per drink higher than the pubs at the time. Quite a significant increase in those far gone days!

Hi Beesman. I seem to recall that the Continental Bar, which ran the length of the Sky Blue Stand, was once in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest bar in Britain, or possibly even the world. I rarely used that bar as my season ticket was in the West Stand, so it was just for the occasional cup game or reserves. I do remember Giovanni being in charge of the bars and restaurants at Highfield Road. We had to carry out an annual inspection of all the bars at the ground at about that time which was quite a task for two of us. He would accompany us and any problems would be sorted there and then. Much of it was checking the optics for short measure. Once we were finished, he would sort out lunch for us in the Grandstand Restaurant where we could review the inspection over their wonderful roast beef, carved from a huge trolley. I believe he was involved in a restaurant, possibly called Giovanni's, at the junction of Clifford Bridge Road and Brinklow Road where I ate a couple of times in the 70s or 80s.

Lino's was possibly what you were thinking of

Lino Gomez was not a nice person to work for. I worked there for 6 weeks and walked out. His wife, Una, was lovely though. The food WAS good, but wages were hit-and-miss when you'd be paid on time. For an establishment that prided itself on professionalism, this was poor.

Has anyone any memories of 'CORKS WINE Bar' in Whitefriars Street.

Hi Gas Centre, If I remember correctly the wine bar sold big snails in the shell with garlic butter (Escargot) which they sold individually wrapped in a serviette, we always said they got them off the back door step because it was always damp in there. It was a bit of a dare with my mates to try them and I remember they tasted a bit like Hedgehog!!! There was another wine bar in that period down the precinct by the old pet shop where Debenhams is now which always did good business and a third one on the upper level of the precinct opposite the circular cafe on the other side from where Boots is now, where we use to call in as a top up before we went to Mr George, they were the days.

Sorry about delay in responding .... only found this site yesterday and have spent much of the last 24 hours wallowing in fabulous nostalgia. Yes .... I remember it well! I was one of a number of Lloyds Bank Corporation St employees who counted the very sticky tally after it had been pushed over! Can't remember the amount but do recall that it was the only time in a 30 year plus banking career when we were allowed to open the strongroom in the dead of night to safely put away the coin. Talking of old Coventry pubs and Draught Bass, The Greyhound on a bombsite in Much Park St deserves an honourable mention as do the double decker sausage batches served there at lunchtime.

Hi Gascentre, yes I do remember Corks Wine Bar as I worked there 1977/8. I enjoyed the atmosphere at lunchtimes some of the clientele came over from the Art College or Lanchester as it became. One man comes to mind who always ordered sweet white wine for himself and associates no matter what the meal, his friends always looking disappointed at his choice. I remember Mabel the cook a lovely lady. I did serve escargots but was never tempted to try any myself they always looked so snug encased in their garlic butter. I have been following this site for several years being born in Coventry and decided to join your forum as I have many memories of my time there and enjoy sharing the memories of all you members.

Hi Artygal Nice to hear from you, I opened Corks Wine Bar with my business partner Pete Beaufoy so I should know you. Mabel was my Mother-in Law my wife Peggy's Mum, Peggy also worked in the Wine Bar, I am sure you will remember her. Was our French Manager there when you worked there? I notice you are in the Scottish Highlands, cannot be far from ourselves in Perth. Alan H

Was not sure where to put this one - another find from the True Coventarian Facebook page. But shows the view towards the Cathedral - the other way from the images on this thread. I think its post-war as St Michael's appears to be roofless and in ruins but happy to be corrected. Really interested me though as you can see the terrific buildings along Jordan/Well/Gosford Street and what was along New Street.

An interesting advert from the Newspaper archives

This picture from a 1915 newspaper from the Archive site says "New Craven Arms" Earl Street. Other articles say it is High Street

Hi Alan, sorry to be so long in getting back have been in Edinburgh last week. Yes I do remember Peggy she gave me the job at Corks, don't recall a French manager but Wendy seemed to manage things when I was there. I remember a good New Years Eve party you put on 77 or 78 we all dressed up. Not being able to get a taxi that night me and my husband walked in our getups all way home through Broadgate never had to worry about feeling unsafe then, or is that my rosy tinted spectacles!! I do live in Scottish Highlands but much farther north of Perth. Best Wishes

I am curious to know the name of the Bass house in the lower left of Neils photo. I know I should know but I don't.

Mermaid