Summer Lane Post Office

[carolina]

 

[Lady Penelope]

Do you know where this was Carolina? It looks as though it was once a pub. Smashing building though, whatever it was to start with.

 

[mallyb2]

Summer lane post office was on the junction of Summer Lane and New John street West. I used to live on the opposite side of the same junction...………..I don't know if it was ever a pub, but both the Vine, and the Brittania were within 20 yards of the post office,so I doubt it ever was a pub...………………………..

 

[Lady Penelope]

Thanks Mallyb2.

 

[carolina]

It would be interesting to see what the ghost sign says

 

[Lady Penelope]

Yes, I wondered about that too.

 

[Vivienne14]

Looks to me like the building was converted into a Post Office, possibly around the 1930s judging by the inner doors to the Post Office. Viv.

 

[mikejee]

Here is the sign inverted and darkened.

 

[Vivienne14]

Think there's a number then "So More" (white writing) in there - the 'So' seems to have a dropped 'O'. Or is it Summer. The number might be 130 ? But not sure.

At the top near the eaves is possibly "C. Gill" or "C. Hill" or something "... ill" ? Viv.

 

[Lady Penelope]

It looks to date from the original building of the estate so it was quite impressive wasn't it. I like the first floor windows. I've been looking for a book which helps you to discover dates of buildings, not country houses and churches but a building like this, but they all seem to be designed for church-spotting etc. I seem to remember that this area was developed in the 1830's and I think the windows would fit with that date.

 

[mikejee]

There is no listing in the 1849 P.O.directory The 1955 directory lists William Taylor, fruiterer. However dix 1858 directory seem sto make it The Brittania Inn, But by 1862 it is occupied by John Harvey, surgeon, so pub did not last very long

 

[carolina]

Do you think The Britannia moved slightly up the road then

 

[mallyb2]

The Brittania was on the other side of New John street West to the post office, to the left of the photograph, but still on Summer Lane...………….I would think the listing of the post office as the Brittania is almost certainly in error...…..

 

[mikejee]

It is not clear with that directory. The Britannia may been there or could have been behind it through an alleyway. The entry is below

I at first took that to mean the E Derry was the landlord of the Britannia at no 283. however, on looking at name index, Edwin Derry was a draper and hosier at 283 Summer Lane and 417 New John St West. 417 would be the the site of back of the post office along New John St.West. It was quite common for a pub landlord to have two businesses, so 283 could have been a pub and a drapers.

 

[mallyb2]

I just can't go along with that theory...…...Edwin Derry is not showing any connection with the Brittania……….yes perhaps 283 was a pub at one time,but it certainly wasn't the Brittania,which was a large purpose built public house,complete with outside gents toilets accessable from both the pub yard also from the public footpath...………...it would appear that the Brittania is listed as the next building to 283 with no landlords name shown...………...

 

[Astoness]

pic of the brittania pub dated 1959 also a bit of info...

the brittania inn...286 summer lane/NJSW....the first recorded manager was in 1831...a nearby property at no 287 was later absorbed into the pub...the pub closed on 2nd march 1961 for demolision