Lost Pubs from the WME Archives: Part 12

Those semi-forgotten recesses of the West Midlands Exploration archive are waiting again as we rummage once more through the filing cabinet drawer marked 'Bygone Boozers'. Here are another five perished pubs that wish to be remembered...

- The Red Lion -

To Telford first of all this month and a mention for the Red Lion at Little Dawley. Situated on Holly Road just up from the Unicorn (which at time of writing is still trading), this was a cottage-style establishment that would have been handy for the nearby pools. The building was demolished in 2018 and the site has since been transformed into the Gilbert Place supported housing scheme. 

- The Londonderry -

A sprawling Smethwick roadhouse that first opened in 1930, the Londonderry stood on the junction of Basons Lane and Queens Road. With a bowling green out the back, this would have been a noteworthy place in its Mitchells & Butlers heyday but sadly declined in later years, ultimately getting flattened to make way for housing. 

- The Waggon & Horses (as was) -

Next up we head across to Long Lane where the Waggon & Horses is seen being stripped out ready to meet its fate. A typical wedge-shaped Banks's number, this was not to be confused with Halesowen's other Waggon & Horses (the highly rated Black Country Ales place nearer the town centre). As seems to be a theme for this batch of lost pubs, houses now occupy the site. 

- The Bulls Head -

One pub that has thus far avoided the housing curse is the Bulls Head at Lye, which was at least still standing last time I checked - albeit disused for some time and latterly boarded up. Perched on the A4036 Pedmore Road it had both the Shovel and the Fox (Green Lane) for close company, and seems to mainly have been used for car parking since it shut. 

- The Manhattan -

With some high rise tower blocks for a backdrop, the Manhattan goes down in history as a Heath Town haunt that was originally called the Shoemaker. It also happens to be the only one of the quintet that I've actually been in, Mr D9 insisting on sampling the 'experience', for better or worse! I can well recall our pre-Christmas pints here in December 2016, gatecrashing a reggae disco and supping Carling, something we'll never be able to repeat now that the place has been pulled down. Until next time, cheers!