Lost Pubs from the WME Archives - Part 23

Although new episodes of the WME Lost Pubs series are less frequent than they used to be, I keep my file marked 'Bygone Boozers' on standby for the occasional airing. The dust has thus been brushed away from this quintet you may or may not remember...

- The Scott Arms -

Numerous former public houses have been turned into fast food outlets over the years with the Scott Arms being merely another to have succumbed to that common fate. Positioned on the A462 between Darlaston and Wednesbury, this expired establishment ceased trading circa 2011 and then remained a disused eyesore until the creation of the Yuyi Dragon Chinese takeaway gave the building a new lease of life. 

- The Pheasant Inn -

Our second snippet for this post is a Madeley (Telford) offering that was the lesser-heralded of two characterful Coalport Road calling points. The All Nations is rightly highly regarded as a traditional brew pub but a few doors along was the Pheasant, an end-of-terrace Banks's house that I first photographed back in 2010. The premises has permanently closed having been turned into a private residence.

- The Talisman -

I spent the best part of thirty years living in Wolverhampton's northern suburbs and in all that time I never remotely felt drawn towards the Talisman, a somewhat notorious box boozer on the Underhill estate. My only visit came during a Hub Marketing crawl in May 2015 and even then I resolutely insisted on sitting outside while D9 performed round honours. Police raids and revoked licenses were the story here before a serious fire ravaged the building. 

- The Waggon & Horses -

Another Wolverhampton watering hole that had a chequered reputation during its final days was the Waggon & Horses on Cannock Road. Situated close to the Birmingham Main Line Canal and backing onto Fowlers Park, the building has since been extended in becoming a  'Casper' Polish supermarket although it retains the decorative tiled frieze above the entrance. Incidentally there used to be a separate Coach & Horses pub further down Cannock Road, that one being an old Butler's (M&B) effort where the car garage now stands.

- The Park Tavern -

Finally we weave our way across to Walsall and a place that had completely slipped my memory. Broadway North was the location for the Park Tavern, a seemingly well-heeled offering that befitted its leafy surroundings in close proximity to the town's Arboretum. Having closed down back in June 2013, the site was developed into the Kilhendre Court retirement complex as operated by McCarthy & Stone.