Chequers, 34-35 Little Park Street
This is an ancient tavern sign which was probably brought to England by the Romans. Evidence from Pompeii suggests that it was already in use there, perhaps referring to a game such as draughts played on the premises. The sign was later associated with a money-table and indeed the word 'exchequer' originally meant a kind of chess board. Some inns may have used the sign to indicate that they were ready to change money or act as bankers in some way. A heraldic connection is that the head of the Fitzwarrens, whose coat of arms showed chequered squares, had the privilege of licensing alehouses in the reign of Edward IV.
 George Inn, Little Park Street - photo taken 24th May 1914. | |||
LICENSEES:1822 - 1829 Thomas Boswell 1835 Daniel Sheard 1841 - 1845 Mrs Sarah Sheard 1850 - 1881 Charles Muston (Maston) 1886 Tom Garratt 1890 - 1896 E. Poutney 1903 - 1922 John Busby 1924 - 1932 T. Bott 1933 - 1938 F. James 1939 - 1940 W. S. Naughton | |||
OWNERS:1926 Charringtons | |||
 Street plan of 1851 |