Coventry Pubs

Thoughts on this one - I think it might be inside The Gosford Park Pub in Northfield Road. The Pub Darts sign and it being an Atkinsons are the clues. The only other Pub I know of with Gosford in is the Gosford Arms in Far Gosford Street but it only became that from The Pitts Head in the 80's...........

The Pubs section references this but I had no idea despite driving past most days - Thanks to the Earlsdon History Group on FB - Clarence Stores (later the Old Clarence), junction of Earlsdon Avenue North and Coniston Road, 1917. At one time said to be the grandest corner shop in Coventry. Built by M&B as a store and bottle shop, the brewery were forced to give up a licence of a city centre pub simply to open an off-licence. The temperance movement was strong in Edwardian Earlsdon - It took sixteen years before the Clarence opened as a fully fledged pub in 1928. Also known as the Port of Call between 1971 and 1991. Note the building has been extended since this picture was taken.

Great pic again Neil. Is the common off to the right?

Yes Mick

Does anyone know anything about this side section to the City Arms in Earlsdon? Always thought it looked a bit out of place next to the 30's Pub building. It sort of matches the line of the original Pub a bit I'm not sure it's that old - Google Map'ed

If you look through the old maps online, Neil, the building seems to have gone through many changes. The newspapers mention extensive alterations in 1865 and 1913 for Flowers brewery. The first map is 1886 and the other 1940, and you work out which is the shaped building from them, Neil. Is it the bit behind the bus shelter you are looking at Neil ? If so, if you look at it from above it is only a wall.

Thanks Anne - yes its that side section but that also includes that rather fancy doorway/entrance. Les Chambers was the final Landlord of the old Pub and First of the New so this must be one of the last photos of the original building before the new one in 1931 - no sign of it here -

Well it was there in 1951 - whatever it was.

Neil, something happened between 1999 and 2001. Do you have Google Earth, where you can go back on a timeline between street views? In 1999 it seems to have a roof on it, and the building next door seems bigger. By 2001, it is as it is now, an open courtyard with a few tables in front of a room with about 4 French Doors. The profile of the Pub Building has completely changed. If you can't do the Google Earth I will try and screenshot it for you.

Hi Anne - StreetView only goes back as far as 2008. It's one of my locals tbh so I know it well - just always wondered about that side section.

These are the 2 views I was talking about Neil, hope you can make them out (Google Earth pro). The top one is 1999 and the bottom 2001. In 1999 the mystery bit has a bit extra on the left and some building that would have been on the end of the shops has gone. On the bottom one, not very clear but you can see it better on google maps, it is open and the pub takes up more space. I may have it wrong as I don't know the building. Did go once for a meal many moons ago. (Not quite as far back as Ma Cooper but I know my dad always called it that). PS. Just found that it changed hands in 1998 from Beefeater to a Crowded House Pub so perhaps that was when the changes were made. PPS. Just found that the Crowded House Company went into receivership in 1999 !!! The newspapers stop then.

I think this may be the answer Neil: Wetherspoon's. If you look at Wetherspoon's web page, the picture of the front of the building, you can just see the wall on the right with floral decorations in the 2 squares in the brick work.

Thanks for the research Anne. Its just that section was there in the 50's but I can't see what is was for etc.

Just a theory Neil but my final thought is that it was possibly some sort of storage. It doesn't look as if it was attached to the building. In the late 19th century they as accomodation for large or small cyclist groups. Could have been used for parking the bikes. I think in the early days they were brewing or perhaps even they could get the barrels through that doorway. They say at one point they could accomodate up to 500 people for entertainment. There are several documents in Coventry Collections that refer to planning over the years. I will shut up now. 😀