Pubs No More

Some of the local pubs that are now just memories.

Images on this page include: Lion and Lamb, The Angel, The Beehive Inn, The Black Horse, The Brewers Arms, The Queens Arms, The Royal Oak, The Sportsman, The Victoria, Wagon and Horses.

Catherine O'Donovan, also known as Cathy Don, on Bissell Street, Highgate, Birmingham

The Beehive Inn - Catherine O'Donovan [Current Status Not Known] - I don't know anything about this pub other than it was at one time called The Beehive Inn, not sure if it is still open or not, I've included it because of it's location - industrial area, although houses were nearby at one time. On Bissell Street, Highgate, Birmingham. Image Date: 06/11/2014

The Brewers Arms, on Highgate Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham

The Brewers Arms [Ceased Trading as a Pub/Bar] - This pub did have a diverse customer base with local factories, residential, and passing trade contributing to its business, with a 'Clock Stop' directly outside it meant that drinkers were unlikely to miss the bus home. On Highgate Road Between Stoney Lane and Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Image Date: 25/07/2012 ***Clock Stop - In the days before GPS, the driver of the bus was required to log the time of departure by inserting a key into a 'Bundy' clock, this was to ensure that they didn't leave before the time stated in the timetable, these clocks were located at the terminus of most routes, there would be more en route if it a was particularly long one, or if it were a circular route. These recorded the time by printing it on a roll of paper that was later retrieved by another company employee.***

Lion and Lamb, on the corner of Stoney Lane and Highgate Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham

Lion and Lamb [Ceased Trading as a Pub/Bar] - The only thing I know about this pub is that sometime in the 1980's a regular customer died after falling down the cellar steps, apparently he turned one way instead of the other when exiting the toilet, which makes me think: If he was a regular, then how did he get confused? And secondly what landlord would leave the cellar door open? On the corner of Stoney Lane and Highgate Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Image Date: 25/07/2012

Was The Royal Oak, now it's a fast food outlet, On the corner of Alfred Street and Stoney Lane, Sparkbrook, Birmingham

The Royal Oak [Ceased Trading as a Pub/Bar] - This little pub had a good footfall with it being the nearest pub for many, it was also clean and friendly. Jonh and Jim were the Licensees when I used to go in there in the mid 1980's. After it closed, it became a community centre, then it became 'Royal Occasions Banqueting Suite', now it's Roscoe’s Chicken Restaurant. Located on the corner of Alfred Street and Stoney Lane, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Image Date: 25/07/2012

The Queens Arms, on the corner of Queen Street and Highgate Road, Sparkbrook. Birmingham

The Queens Arms [Ceased Trading as a Pub/Bar] - I don't know much about this pub except that at one time, like many small independent pubs, it brewed its own ale/beer. On the corner of Queen Street and Highgate Road, Sparkbrook. Birmingham. Image Date: 25/07/2012

The Victoria, on the corner of Long Street and Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham

The Victoria [Ceased Trading as a Pub/Bar] - I don't know much about this pub - it's difficult to tell that it even was one. Although it says 'Police' over the door in this photo I don't think ever was a fully operational police station, it now houses a barber shop, and an internet cafe. On the corner of Long Street and Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Image Date: 25/07/2012

The Black Horse, on the corner of Kyotts Lake Road and Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham

The Black Horse [Ceased Trading as a Pub/Bar] - This pub would have had regular trade from local residents, shoppers, and local industrial, as well as some service sector employees - a tram/bus depot was only a few yards up the road. It is now a Cafe/Restaurant. On the corner of Kyotts Lake Road and Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Image Date: 25/07/2012

The Angel, on the corner of Ladypool Road and Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham

The Angel [Ceased Trading as a Pub/Bar] - The Angel Inn had been here since around 1870, although the building dates from around 1830, it was one of many coaching inns that lined the route from Birmingham to Stratford Upon Avon. Since this image capture the ownership has changed hands and is now an African/Caribbean Restaurant. On the corner of Ladypool Road and Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Image Date: 25/07/2012

Wagon and Horses, On the corner of Warwick Road and Albion Road, Greet, Birmingham

Wagon and Horses [Ceased Trading as a Pub/Bar] - My local in late 1970's/early 1980's even though it was about half a mile from where I lived I still went there, and when I moved house I still found my way to going there, that was until I moved even further away and found a new 'local' nearer my home. At the time of this image it an Asian restaurant, it is now called Pranzo, an Italian restaurant that also serves Asian food. A fire damaged the building in February 2020. On the corner of Warwick Road and Albion Road, Greet, Birmingham. Image Date: 08/08/2012

The Sportsman - Major's - Mc Dwyers [Still Trading as a Pub/Bar] - On the corner of Warwick Road and Shakespeare Street, Greet, Birmingham. Image Date: 25/07/2012