Clarence Hotel, 9 Smithford Street
| These premises have been known by different names during their history: | FROM | TO | NAME |
| BEERHOUSE | |||
| 1866 | 1879 | WINE AND SPIRIT VAULTS | |
| 1879 | 1892 | CITY VAULTS | |
| 1892 | 1893 | CITY WINE AND SPIRIT VAULTS | |
| 1894 | 1912 | CLARENCE HOTEL | |
Until 1865 this was a ladies and gents clothes shop, but on the 26th January 1866 Andrew Sumner opened a Wholesale Wine and Spirit establishment, passing this on to James Colley in 1870.
From 1879 Thomas Ball began to advertise it as the CITY VAULTS, but for just 6 months from July 1892 until early 1993 Hugh Thomas Gregory advertised constantly in the Midland Daily Telegraph his CITY WINE AND SPIRIT VAULTS.
When William Hadfield, late of Rugby, took the reins in September 1894 it became the CLARENCE HOTEL, selling sparkling Burton Ales, Wines, Spirits, and Cigars.of the best brands.
In May 1912 Alfred Wagstaff was granted a new license for an off beer-house licence for the Clarence Stores in Earlsdon Avenue North on the understanding that the full licence of this Clarence Hotel in Smithford Street was surrendered.
An amusing side effect of the closure of the Clarence was seen in the Midland Daily Telegraph in June 1912, who were asked to advertise that the United Ancient Order of Druids had to remove their lodge from this hotel to the nearby Old Baths Hotel.The Duke of Clarence was William IV's name before he became King. He had a short naval career and took his seat in the House of Lords as the Duke of Clarence. Some Clarence signs show the four-wheeled carriage which was named after him. | |||
LICENSEES:1894 - 1895 William Hadfield 1895 - 1896 Thomas Robinson 1896 John Fenn 1900 David Deacon 1900 - 1909 Henry Wright 1911 - 1912 William Eggington | |||
 Street plan of 1851 | |||
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Google map location (Due to the scaling on old maps, the pin location might not be 100% accurate.) | |||
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