For my last post of 2021 I thought I'd see which Lost Pubs might be lurking at the bottom of my Christmas stocking. So far the series has already recorded 112 expired establishments, mainly from the West Midlands and surrounding counties (Staffs and Salop especially) plus the odd one further afield. That's quite a big number when you come to think about it, especially given that most of the pictures are from within the last ten years, and yet I can't help feeling it is only the tip of the iceberg...
- New Inn, Bulkington -
A further quintet will take my running total for the series to 117, and Exhibit A among these is the New Inn from Bulkington (near Bedworth). I'd never set foot in the village until Nick and I went there in June 2017, and although we were mainly concerned with Draught Bass in the Weavers Arms, it was sad to see the New Inn all abandoned opposite the Methodist Church. Demolition was the ultimate outcome here, clearing the way for the construction of more houses on the Rugby Road/Wolvey Road junction.
- Pyle Cock, Wednesfield -
My second selection for this post is a personal favourite I was very sorry to see close. The Pyle Cock in Wednesfield was a largely unspoiled Banks's boozer just over the road from the local branch library, and I well recall supping excellent examples of Banks's Mild here with my Dad or finishing a D9 Hub Marketing special with bargain Boondoggle (at only £1 a pint). The rooms were atmospheric - a real cottagey throwback - but alas it has latterly been turned into the Evolution Childcare Nursery and Pre-School.
- Bell Inn, Willenhall -
Like the Pyle Cock, another pub well known in drinking circles would be the Bell at Willenhall with its compact frontage facing out onto the town's Market Place. Parts of the building are said to date from 1659 so it was such a shame to see the premises gradually fall into a state of disrepair. Thankfully the Willenhall Heritage Trust have helped to rescue the building for future generations even though it no longer functions as a watering hole.
- Moilliett Arms, Smethwick -
Regular readers of the blog probably don't need any introduction as regards the Moilliet Arms because this was one of the original Hub Marketing haunts back in February 2011. A long term Smethwick landmark watching over the Cranford Street/Grove Lane/Soho Way roundabout, it had an air of faded elegance as if the surrounding industry had taken its toll. Trading ceased circa 2013 after which conversion into flats seemed pretty much inevitable.
- The Bellfield Inn, Winson Green -
We finish this edition with an absolute wreck over in Winson Green, whereby the Bellfield Tavern must have stood derelict for at least ten years before finally being put out of its misery. A Banks's concern prior to closure, it also had a spell under Davenports ownership and used to be accompanied on Winson Street by the Bellefield Garage (the pub itself has at times been spelled with an extra 'e'). I understand that the site has remained empty since the pub was demolished, and on that note I'll sign off until 2022 - cheers!
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