• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Union Hotel Inn Tavern Union Street Cherry Street

mikejee

Super Moderator
Staff member
Edited from original Union Street post .......Picture is c 1870. incidently the dorway on the far left of the picture , showing "Fire" is the Lancashire Fire & Life Insurrance Co. the directories of 1868 and 1872 do not list the building this side of the library as the Borough Treasurers Office, but the Birmingham Gas & Coke Co
Mike

union_st_c_1870.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Appreciate
Reactions: Two
The building to the right is the Union Hotel (see photo caption). Must have existed since at least 1791. Is this the same Union Hotel as that with the address of Cherry Street ? (An early reference I've found is to the Union Inn and Tavern, Cherry Street in August 1791- see below).

I think it was demolished for the cutting of Corporation Street.

Union Inn Union Street

Screenshot_20250213_134004_Chrome.jpgScreenshot_20250213_133425_Chrome.jpg


Union Inn and Tavern Cherry Street

Screenshot_20250213_170020_Chrome.jpg
Source: British Newspaper Archive
 
Last edited:
The Henry Birkitt's Union Inn/Tavern fronted onto Union Street, as per this notice of sale in 1804.

Screenshot_20250214_150129_Chrome.jpg
Source: British Newspaper Archive
 
Possibly c1798, part of the original Cherry Street was renamed 'Union Street' (the lower end below Crooked Lane) whilst the top end up to Temple Row remained 'Cherry Street'. This puts the Union Tavern in Cherry Street until c1798, after which the Tavern's address changed to Union Street (borne out by newspaper adverts during 1798).

This James Burgoyne image from 1875 shows the rear of the Union Hotel during demolition as part of the Birmingham Improvement Scheme.

Screenshot_20250214_153148_Chrome.jpg
 
Last edited:
Possibly c1798, part of the original Cherry Street was renamed 'Union Street' (the lower end below Crooked Lane) whilst the top end up to Temple Row remained 'Cherry Street'. This puts the Union Tavern in Cherry Street until c1798, after which the Tavern's address changed to Union Street (borne out by newspaper adverts during 1798).

This James Burgoyne image from 1875 shows the rear of the Union Hotel during demolition as part of tge Birmingham Improvement Scheme.

View attachment 199110
rare photo viv...would think in those days there was no wrecking swing balls to demolish...as we can see they used ladders and demolished buildings brick by brick...quite a dangerous job

lyn
 
Mrs Goodbehere took over the running of the Union Tavern from her late husband Edmund in 1791, by which time the Union had been completely rebuilt. It now had accommodation for travelling gentlemen, stabling and a bowling green. She seems to have sold/let go of her husband's coach business, which had been moved to the Union Inn (from the Castle Inn) before his death earlier that year.

Screenshot_20250215_072522_Chrome.jpg
 
Last edited:
Back
Top