Cobden Hotel Hagley Road

[Vivienne14]

This is a listed building on Hagley Road. Originally the Cobden Hotel, a temperance hotel (coffee house) stood on Corporation Street/Cherry Street, but it was demolished to make way for Rackhams in the 1950s. Details of the earlier Hotel are here

Cobden Hotel and Coffee House Corporation Street/Cherry Street

The Birmingham Coffee House co (The Cobden) seems to be part of the Cobden Hotel, which was on the corner of cheryy St. It would be where the southern tip of Rackhams (sorry House of F!!) is now . As to the other earlier photo, in 1888 the only Jeromes listed in Kellys are a botton...

birminghamhistory.co.uk

The Cobden was still a temperance (dry) hotel when it set up on Hagley Road. Don't know if it still issues today..There's a Heritage England listing which describes the building as;

Details​

HAGLEY ROAD 1. 5104 (south side) Edgbaston B16 No 166 (Cobden Hotel) SP 08 NW 6/6 II GV 2. C1860-70, altered. Stucco. In an Italianate style. Two storeys plus modern attic. 3 bays with quoins left and right. Rusticated ground floor with central entrance with coupled pilasters with palmette capitals carrying an entablature and 2 windows with panelled frames with cornices on brackets. Moulded band at first floor level. First floor with 3 windows, the centre one with segmental head, all otherwise as those below. All windows sashes. Eaves with guilloche frieze and cornice on brackets alternating with rosette panels. The wings left and right of this are not listed.



1972



1984 rear view

 

[devonjim]

My younger brother was a trainee gardener there when he first left school early 1960's The Norfolk Hotel was/is? nearby and was owned by the same company.

 

[Vivienne14]

I think the Norfolk was across the road Jim. It was also a dry house.There's a thread here https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/for...e-norfolk-hotel-hagley-road.6972/#post-584317

 

[Tinkindar]

It's fascinating how buildings evolve over time, not just in their physical structure but also in their role and significance to the community. Whether it still operates under its original temperance values or not, it stands as a testament to the changing times and the layers of history that cities like this accumulate. Just as we look for business class flight deals to enhance our travel experience today, places like the Cobden Hotel offer us a glimpse into the travel and social norms of the past, enriching our understanding of history and culture.