Another local pub saw the shutters going up this week, as time was called at The Crown, Shirley High Street.
The Crown, which had reverted to its original name in the last few years after enduring a difficult existence and something of a bad reputation as ‘Tramways’ since 1994, is Grade II listed so fortunately cannot be destroyed but the installation of shutters indicates it ‘s unlikely to reopen in the near future.
The pub, which dates back to the1840s, had a traditional front lounge bar (which was quite compact) and a huge saloon bar with all the items one would normally fine in such facilities, and was home in more recent times to live entertainment, and the author himself (who should probably not refer to himself in the third person!) enjoyed several of those as a punter and even an appearance live on stage, gosh!
Whether the Crown is turned into boring flats (like the Bald-Faced Stag), a “much-needed” convenience store (like the Eagle and the Woodman) or is just left to decay (like the Park Hotel or the Blacksmiths’ Arms) has yet to be announced but I imagine that the almost-adjacent William Hill would do a brisk trade in betting on the likely outcome.
On a similiar note, I don’t know how The Angel stays open. I (and the other patrons, admitted only a couple of them) was chucked out of there last Friday at 9.30 pm because it was closing due to it being dead. I hope last orders are not called on this, as it’s my local. The only alternative is to go in the Eagle convenience store (ex-pub), buy some strong liquor then return it to my humble abode (another ex-pub) and drown my sorrows about the death of the British pub.
Ah well, better make the most of these fine traditional hostelries before they’re all closed down for good.
Last updated on Wednesday 7 March 2012 by GaryReggae
