The Grapes Inn appears in Robson's 1839 directory, and I have not yet found any earlier record. It continued in business until it was knocked down to complete the new Central Fire Station in 1932-33. It was in Aston Street at the corner of Moland Street.
Some licensees were:
Thomas Wall, 1839 - 41,
Thomas Ward, 1862,
John Mellor, 1868,
Mrs Elizabeth Mellor, 1873 - 78,
Benjamin Simcox, 1883 - 90,
Henry Watkins, 1895,
Frank N Rooker, 1900,
Allen James Tomlinson, 1913,
A J Cole, 1921,
Samuel Small, 1933.
The years specified above are the official date of a directory, which was often based on material collected during the previous year, so it's quite likely that the pub actually closed towards the end of 1932.
I would love to see a picture of it. Can anyone help, please?
Peter