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Revisits, Walsall

Revisit: (Final Visit?) The Imperial

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A sad visit on our way back home; The Imperial closed later this evening, with J D Wetherspoon citing it as a commercial decision.

The Imperial has been there since 1997 or so, and I remember a bet with my other half that it would be there more than x years, (where x was either five or 10, we cannot recall). It lasted nearly 20 in the end, and despite it being just a ‘spoons, I will be sorry to see it go. handy for the bus station (especially as the toilets there are closed at night 🙂 ), and a little quieter than the nearby St Matthew’s Hall, it always seemed to be doing an OK trade to me. I just hope some new use can be found for the building.

Birmingham, Closed

[Closed] The Eagle and Tun

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Digbeth, Birmingham:

Now closed and demolished. Bastards.

Right next to The Woodman, another fine old Victorian pub, and another James & Lister lea building for Ansells. Empty and derelict since 2008, it was once a very sad sight, isolated while development went on around it, and with only local listing, the future didn’t look good- as recently as 2012, it looked like both would be flattened, along with The Fox and Grapes. As we’ve seen, The Woodman was saved first, and as we walked past on our last visit, we noticed the Eagle & Tun was about to re-open, and it now has.

It is well known for the UB40 Connection- the video for Red Red Wine was shot there, as was the cover for the first Best of UB40 album, as the studios for DEP International were just around the corner in Andover St.

Anyway, the pub itself? Outside is typical Brum terracotta. Inside is less salubrious than The Woodman, and a work-in-progress, clearly, but the atmosphere was pleasant (if cold!), the barman was very friendly, and the drinks cheap (and decent enough too, even if the HPA ran out before I got a pint). The pub is playing on the UB40 connection, with that being the choice of music. There’s still the stunning tiles at one end, and the feel of a proper Brum pub too.

Birmingham, Permanently Closed

[CLOSED] The Jekyll and Hyde

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Birmingham:

I wasn’t entirely expecting to like this- I was looking for a nearby pub I used to drink in occasionally years ago (that I think may have become this). It’s got a few warning signs- it is themed, and there’s a dedicated Gin Palace- but it was actually pleasant, despite being rammed, though we chose to sit outside (in December!!). Decent beer, pleasant staff.

[edit 2022: It’s now The Queens Head again.]

Aldridge, Permanently Closed, Walsall

[CLOSED] The Cedar Tree

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[Edit: Now a Co-op]
Aldridge:


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Almost opposite the Lazy Hill, this is (at a guess) a 60s pub. It’s had a mixed history and is certainly a little more ‘colourful’ than the Lazy Hill, but it does have the advantage of being open longer- the Lazy Hill doesn’t open all day, keeping more traditional hours, and we missed it today.

It’s current guise has most of the lounge turned over to an Indian Restaurant, but the pub is still very much a pub. Beer choice is a little limited on draught- just the usual stuff- but there’s a good choice of bottled lager. The barman was nice too.