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

Drinking in an Old English Town

Empire Vaults, 56 Smithford Street

These premises have been known by different names during their history:	FROM	TO	NAME
	c1800	1924	Lord Nelson
	1879	1890	Godiva Vaults
	1879	1890	Lady Godiva
	1910	1928	Empire Vaults
From around 1800 this had been the ADMIRAL NELSON / NELSON / LORD NELSON, with a short spell from 1879 to 1890 as the LADY GODIVA / GODIVA (SPIRIT) VAULTS, but by February 1910 the name EMPIRE VAULTS began to be used, although at the same time it was still referred to in many directories as the LORD NELSON until around 1924. It appears likely that the pub took the later name from the Empire Palace of Varieties which was on the opposite side of Smithfield Street (see Theatre Vaults). In February 1925 Walter Ernest Morley applied for the license of the EMPIRE VAULTS to be removed for the building of the MAUDSLAY HOTEL. The application was refused on this occasion, but in 1927 it was accepted, and the new pub, on the Allesley Old road opposite Maudslay Road, was completed in 1928 and opened on Friday 14th December that year. The ROBIN HOOD, Cox Street, was closed in consideration of this license removal. In November 1928 the MDT reported that "The Deputy Mayor proposed that the Council purchase Nos. 55 and 56, Smithford Street, at a cost of £12,500 . . ." - to provide for future Market Hall alterations and street widening. "The resolution was carried."
LICENSEES: 1909 - 1912 Thomas Phipps 1912 - 1916 Alfred Hurst 1916 - 1919 Joseph Cross 1919 - 1922 Alfred Hurst 1922 - 1923 John Leeson 1923 - 1928 Walter Ernest Morley 1928 - 1929 Mark William Blackford
OWNERS: 1913 - 1927 Phillips and Marriotts
Street plan of 1851