Coventry Pubs

Fobwatch was a modern name for the pub, intended to evoke memories of the watchmaking era. Before the 1980s it was always known as The Summerland Tavern. It may have been frequented by watchmakers at one time but no more so than the other pubs in the immediate vicinity such as the Russell Arms and the Union Arms.

The area around the Summerland Tavern was known as the summer land, this was back in Mayor James Weare times. It was the summer grazing land for the livestock. Regards Derek.

The brewery wanted a new name for the pub so invited the public to come up with ideas, a small prize was offered. A woman came up with The Fob Watch simply because FOB= Flowers Old Bitter. Surely someone else remembers this, it wasn't THAT long ago.

Does anybody remember the pile Of pennies that got landlord Mick Keane of The Coundon Hotel into the Guinness Book of Records?

Hope & Anchor, Tower Street - hoping SKS can conjure up an image/illustration of this long-departed inn

I still hold a little hope of the Butt's Retreat opening again at some point. Also, spotted the other day The Coombe Abbey Inn in Chapelfields boarded up and on the market with an asking price of 175k. I went there a fair few times under the last management. A very friendly couple and they had clearly spent some money on renovation. Sad times. On another note (Not in Coventry I might add) but I came across this tale of common sense at last prevailing: http://www.standard.co.uk/ All we need now is for Coventry Council to read this and start on the same lines............

In case it's been overlooked in recent posts regarding The Fob Watch, this image of The Summerland was posted very early in this thread by dutchman

The long-forgotten Russell Arms is also at the far end of that row.

I hope it fares better than the mature trees in the beer garden behind the Summerland which have now been chopped down and sawn into logs Strangely I'm unable to find any mention of this in the recent planning application to turn the pub into a restaurant? Planning Application (.pdf format)

Coventry gang Folly Lane

Here is today's news about the Wolfe

Thanks Midland Red. I am not familiar with Toro's so not sure what the people of Coventry will think of it? I am pleased that this grand building is still surviving though. Will try it out (if only to have a look around inside) next time we visit. Thanks MR. Gilly

I believe that in recent years the Butts Retreat lost its image as a family pub and so lost customers. Will it work as a restaurant? I have no idea but would hope so. Akbars always appears to be busy. I have never been in The Bowling Green since I was "asked to leave" in the 70s but I believe it has now been opened as some other business and probably doing well. I occasionally drop in The Dyers Arms on my way home and always feel welcome in spite of its biker connections.There must be a reason why the Dyers has survived as a pub while others in the area have closed.

The Butts Retreat indeed went through a phase under the last couple of landlords where it did get an image of being a rough pub. I do think it seemed a bit "desperate". They are spending money, let em in kind of attitude. I saw exactly the same thing at The Rocket during it's last few weeks of operation. It got to a point of feeling uncomfortable in there at times which is why I had to choose to go elsewhere. I think personally, the Retreat is a little too far out of town to work as a restaurant. If you're outside the ring road etc etc. I think with a rename back to The Summerland or even Fob Watch and a nice refurb, it could do well. Especially with the lovely sized garden it had (has) It keeps being overlooked, the fact that the rugby club are doing so well and attracting record crowds. Dare I say it, wasps move to the Ricoh has helped this. Glad you like The Dyers, never quite been brave enough myself. On another note, I've heard there is going to be major works at Rainbows club on short street. Formerly The Admiral Lord Rodney. Due to the works on the church next door, the pub is subsiding and requires rebuilding. It'll be closed for 2 months in July and August for a rebuild and refurbishment. Enterprise are putting their hands in their pockets for once.