Craven Street and the Brewers Arms

The 1871 Census shows Brewers Arms at 71 (William Laxton - Watch Case Springer & Publican), with Edward Beaumont at 73 (Watchmaker and Provision Dealer) In 1901, Caroline Gorsuch is at 71 (Licensed Victualler)

I've been trawling through planning records. Present day No 46 was last used as a grocer's along with No 44 although the latter retained its original frontage. No 46 had previously been a butcher's for many years. No 42 was converted from a post office to a private dwelling in 1989. No 40 may also have been a shop at one time. In 1990 the council ordered the frontages of both buildings to be restored to their original Victorian appearance. They also ordered the white meter cupboards to be removed from the front of both buildings but to this day it has still not been done.

This is the limited info I got from the Herbert 1874-1876 William Laxton publican 1876-1898 William Gorsuch publican 1898-1910 Caroline Gorsuch publican 1910 premises closed - converted into a butchers shop

Yes, that fits Zephyr! It was a butcher's shop from around 1910 to around 1980 when it became an Asian run grocer's shop. That was despite strong protests from Florrie Barratt, who for 50 years ran a tiny grocer's shop of her own at No 60, which has since been absorbed into the Craven Arms. The grocer's expanded to become a convenience store but then succumbed itself, probably to competition from the new out-of-town superstores. There was an application to turn it into a hot-food takeaway but that was rejected, probably as there was already another one just a few doors away.

My neighbour at 65 Mount St remembers the grocers, I can only remember the chip shop (was it Pauls chippy?) when I moved into 66 Mount St as I'm sure that was around the same place as where your describing the grocers being at. It's a shame this photo was not taken outside the Craven Arms looking down past Craven Terrace, instead this is at the top of Duke St looking down Craven St with the Coombe/Hearsall on the right.

Hello Catshed Thank you so much for the photo.

Hello and welcome to the forum Catshed I'm familiar with that particular picture and the chip shop of course which was close to the corner of Duke Street, just behind the cameraman to his left. I don't remember the name other than the family which ran it was Greek. It was never my favourite chip shop despite being very close to where I lived. The grocer's/butcher's or whatever it was at the time was further up from me and I don't remember that at all even though I do remember Florrie Barratt's tiny shop which was even further up the street!

Well thanks guys this has been a very interesting history lesson, but Brewers Arms still shrouded in mystery, may get on to land registry see if they come up with anything. We've had photos in both directions up and down Craven St, except the one we want, there must be one in existence. Anyway dutchman, mid red and catshed (hello cat, fancy seeing you on here) keep looking

I think we've firmly established the location of the Brewers Arms and what it looks like today. The only thing missing is a photo of the frontage when actually in use as a pub.

Here's a photo of 'Flo Barratt' in her shop where the pool table now stands at the Craven Arms. When she passed away they framed this photo of her and it's above the seat in the pub which was 'her's', she asked me to moved out her seat on several occasions

Thanks Catshed As you can see from the picture it was a really tiny place and indistinguishable outside from the other houses in the terrace.

Photo of 46 Craven Street (I think we agreed it was formerly the Brewers Arms!)

Yes, thanks It staggers me that I lived so close for nearly eight years yet have absolutely no memory of it having been a butcher's shop at the time! (our own meat was delivered from a shop in Allesley).