The Definitive Guide to the History of
Pubs and Beerhouses in Coventry

Drinking in an Old English Town

Coventry Arms, 1 Smithford Street

These premises have been known by different names during their history:	FROM	TO	NAME
			Board
	1867	1895	Wine and Spirit Vaults
	1895	1929	Coventry Arms
Broadgate was widened in 1820 and most of its medieval buildings were demolished. The building that became the Coventry Arms is thought to date from then. However, the Coventry Arms itself was demolished in 1929, at which time it was found to have a spacious vaulted 14th century cellar, decorated medieval fireplaces, and much of the building was thought to date from the 16th or 17th century. Like many Coventry buildings, all this was hidden behind a more recent facade. The National Provincial Bank next door was also demolished and both buildings were replaced by a much larger National Provincial Bank, which still stands on Broadgate. The Coventry Arms was known locally as the 'Swinging Arms', not from any sexual proclivity as might be expected today, but because it had wild-west style swinging doors! William Harrison, who kept the pub from 1893 to 1903, would not open on a Sunday.
LICENSEES: 1894 - 1903 William Harrison (left in Dec 1903 due to ill health) 1903 - 1909 Walter Newman 1910 - 1924 Thomas Strong 1926 - 1929 E. Reynolds
OWNERS: BREWERS 1898 - 1903 Lucas & Co
Street plan of 1893