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

Drinking in an Old English Town

Earl of Mercia, High Street

Alternative Addresses:	Little Park Street
These premises have been known by different names during their history:	FROM	TO	NAME
	c1990	1994	CASSIDY'S
	1994	1996	PHOENIX BAR
	1996	2001	LLOYDS NO.1
	2001	present	EARL OF MERCIA
This Wetherspoon pub takes its name from Leofric, Earl of Mercia, who founded St Mary's Priory, which eventually became Coventry's first cathedral. A larger-than-life statue of Leofric and his wife, Countess Godiva, can be seen above the main entrance to the council house, opposite this pub. The building opened in June 1896 as the London and Midland Bank, later the Midland Bank. In the early 1990s it became CASSIDY'S, then in 1994 became the PHOENIX BAR with the comment 'The Phoenix rose from Cassidy's ashes'. At this time it was purchased by Mansfield Brewery. The name changed again in 1996 to LLOYDS NO.1, and then to the EARL OF MERCIA in 2001. Photo courtesy of Steve Orland (steve.historiccoventry.co.uk)