W
www.midlandspubs.co.uk
Guest
This pub only went recently so perhaps there are a few out there who can remember the place....
Belle Vue Inn - Ladywood [pic attached]
Located towards the 'top end' of Icknield Port Road, the Belle Vue Hotel [as it was known after being rebuilt] was a classic example of an inter-war public house with a frontage of splendid uniformity and clean lines. A real gem of the period. The entrances to the public bar and saloon bar were at the edge of the building whilst a central door acted as the outdoor for off sales. In a photograph dating from the late 1930's, the pub can be seen here in the livery of Ansell's of Aston. However, this is a pub that has "done the rounds" in terms of ownership. William Tetley of Floodgate Street sold the original Belle Vue Inn to the London and Burton brewers Mann, Crossman and Paulin. The pub was acquired by William Butler's Springfield Brewery in Wolverhampton before forming part of the Ind Coope empire. The Holt Brewery have also been recorded as owners which is presumably how the newly-built pub ended up with the livery of Ansell's.
I stumbled upon an amusing article in a copy of the Birmingham Daily Mail published on March 9th 1871.....
Row About a Bi-Valve
"Thomas Smith [35], Icknield Port Road, described as a licensed victualler, imperfectly educated, was placed in the dock, charged with being drunk and causing an obstruction in the Market Hall. Yesterday, Mr Smith patronised an oyster stall in the latter building, and created a tremendous disturbance with the oyster man, because [as he alleged] that "gentleman" had swindled him out of one of the precious natives. The constable on duty in the market requested him to be a little more circumspect in the use of his expletives, whereupon he became, and stoutly maintained that only five of the six oysters for which a friend paid were supplied to him. After being ejected repeatedly he continued his visits to the oyster man, still harping on the solitary bi-valve until at length the patience of the officer was exhausted, and he was transferred from the precincts of the hall to Moor Street. Mr Francis, who represented Mr Smith, said his client was provoked by the taunts of the constable about "Kicking up a row over a paltry oyster." Mr Poncia [to defendant]: "No doubt you were deceived by swallowing them too fast. [laughter.] Thomas Smith was fined five shillings and costs."
There is a smashing photograph of the Belle Vue Inn on the Digital Ladywood website which has a caption stating that monthly dog shows were staged in the garden of the pub with winners receiving small prizes. The photograph features pub regulars Fred Logan, Bob Bennett, Bill Palmer, Tug Wilson, Matt Henderson and Mick Evans.
Cheers
Kieron www.midlandspubs.co.uk
Belle Vue Inn - Ladywood [pic attached]
Located towards the 'top end' of Icknield Port Road, the Belle Vue Hotel [as it was known after being rebuilt] was a classic example of an inter-war public house with a frontage of splendid uniformity and clean lines. A real gem of the period. The entrances to the public bar and saloon bar were at the edge of the building whilst a central door acted as the outdoor for off sales. In a photograph dating from the late 1930's, the pub can be seen here in the livery of Ansell's of Aston. However, this is a pub that has "done the rounds" in terms of ownership. William Tetley of Floodgate Street sold the original Belle Vue Inn to the London and Burton brewers Mann, Crossman and Paulin. The pub was acquired by William Butler's Springfield Brewery in Wolverhampton before forming part of the Ind Coope empire. The Holt Brewery have also been recorded as owners which is presumably how the newly-built pub ended up with the livery of Ansell's.
I stumbled upon an amusing article in a copy of the Birmingham Daily Mail published on March 9th 1871.....
Row About a Bi-Valve
"Thomas Smith [35], Icknield Port Road, described as a licensed victualler, imperfectly educated, was placed in the dock, charged with being drunk and causing an obstruction in the Market Hall. Yesterday, Mr Smith patronised an oyster stall in the latter building, and created a tremendous disturbance with the oyster man, because [as he alleged] that "gentleman" had swindled him out of one of the precious natives. The constable on duty in the market requested him to be a little more circumspect in the use of his expletives, whereupon he became, and stoutly maintained that only five of the six oysters for which a friend paid were supplied to him. After being ejected repeatedly he continued his visits to the oyster man, still harping on the solitary bi-valve until at length the patience of the officer was exhausted, and he was transferred from the precincts of the hall to Moor Street. Mr Francis, who represented Mr Smith, said his client was provoked by the taunts of the constable about "Kicking up a row over a paltry oyster." Mr Poncia [to defendant]: "No doubt you were deceived by swallowing them too fast. [laughter.] Thomas Smith was fined five shillings and costs."
There is a smashing photograph of the Belle Vue Inn on the Digital Ladywood website which has a caption stating that monthly dog shows were staged in the garden of the pub with winners receiving small prizes. The photograph features pub regulars Fred Logan, Bob Bennett, Bill Palmer, Tug Wilson, Matt Henderson and Mick Evans.
Cheers
Kieron www.midlandspubs.co.uk
