During the course of this thread I've written up some notes from newspaper reports about the Spread Eagle. It might be of use to someone. The inn existed in 1742, and my guess is it went further back than that as it appears to be well-established by the 1740s. Over time it's been known as the Spread Eagle Inn, Spread Eagle Tavern, Spread Eagle Hotel, Spread Eagle Vaults, Peters, and possibly the Criterion.
It's unclear what happened to its former concert hall/warehouse/stores/stabling at the rear when the Woolworths store extension was built over the site. Was all that area at the rear (Spread Eagle Yard ?) also demolished at this time ? Maybe that will come to light in time
Spread Eagle inn timeline
1742 soap on sale at the Spread Eagle Spiceal Street
1743 John Sorrell who'd kept the Spread Eagle Spiceal Street moved to the Angel Coleshill (St?) SE was a good business to be let
1746 - 1749 Thomas Everitt keeper
1801 a warehouse at the Spread Eagle was robbed
1808 fish machine wagon leaves the Spread Eagle every Tuesday and Saturday
1816 James Gray kept it
1837 Henry Bliss, premises much altered with all conveniences for commercial gentlemen. Market dinners every Tuesday
1845 Spread Eagle to let : an old established inn with a spirit shop, warehousing, large yard, stabling for 100 horses. The last 9 years in the hands of Mr H Bliss
1853 concert hall referred to as Midland Counties Concert Hall
1854 sale of the Spread Eagle Midland Counties Concert Hall (1200 persons), spirit shop, dwelling house, large yard, and stabling. Mr H Hudson retiring due to ill health
1858 fire at Spread Eagle Concert Hall
1861 application for music and dancing license for the Concert Hall hours 7-12 by George Dutton
1863 licence application for Spread Eagle 60ft Concert hall, licence needed every night of week, 7-11 pm. Has no licence to sell spirits and beer (licence belonged to Spread Eagle Inn)
1863 George Dutton applying for music only licence for 18 ft × 32ft room (liquor shop), every night 7-11pm except Sunday
1865 a sixth share offered in the Spread Eagle Inn, liquor shop, the Concert hall, sheds and yards (with gated rear entrance)
1866 Spread Eagle Concert Hall stage, scenery, grand panorama for sale
1866 Licence transfer from George Walter Dutton to Alfred Peters
1866 Spread Eagle Liquor Vaults contents auction including all house and brewing contents. Alfred Peters now taken over SE and was rebuilding premises
1872 Mr Wivel applied for 6 day licence to sell 5-6am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to persons attending/ with business in the markets
1874 transfer of licence from Frederick Wiwel to Thomas Hanson
1874 Spread Eagle Vaults - known as "Peters" - bought by Granger (named after Alfred Peters (?) licensee 1866)
1878 auction of Spread Eagle Liquor Vault as Mr Granger giving up business. Includes previous large sums invested in rebuilding. Sale includes stabling in the yard for 24 horses, vaults, warehouse and stores. Stores are rented out
1882 Geoge Newman, barman at Spread Eagle violently assaulted by Edwin Jones, commercial traveller
1886 John Hannah licensee of the Spread Eagle Vaults
1888 auction of effects and lease of the profitable Spread Eagle Vaults - the late John Hannah, keeper for the last 9 years
1887 concert hall at the back of the Spread Eagle Tavern now referred to as the Midland Counties Concert Hall
1889 Frederick Benson refused music and dancing licence as he'd previously altered premises without permission
1901 building at the rear of the Spread Eagle ( formerly used as the Concert Hall) now belongs to Field and Bennett. Now occupied by Southall Brothers and Barclay
1904 the address of 14 Spiceal Street references the Criterion and Fred Hyde (was he in the theatre/broadcasting business?)
1924 Spread Eagle manager listed as Samuel Rich
1924 demolition work reported on the site