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

Drinking in an Old English Town

Godiva 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
In June 1878 Mary Ann Holt (who subsequently moved to the Watchmakers Arms, Spon Street) had the Lord Nelson put up for auction. By July 1879 Charles Alexander had given the LORD NELSON a new name - LADY GODIVA - but between 1880 and 1890 it was variously called the GODIVA VAULTS or GODIVA SPIRIT VAULTS. In February 1889 the Coventry Times gave notice that; "...the Godiva Inn, comprising large and handsomely fitted Spirit Vaults with commodious Dwelling House and good Cellars..." would soon be put up for auction. On the 1st March it advertised the auction for William Taylor's GODIVA VAULTS, and it sold within three weeks. Joseph Baker, who in December 1889 had created at the King's Head Hotel "The Joe Baker Goose Club", took over the license from William Taylor on the 31st July 1890, returning the inn to the name LORD NELSON, while advertising it very heavily from August 1890 as a "Luncheon Bar".
LICENSEES: 1879 Charles Alexander 1881 - 1884 George Frederick Lazenby 1886 - 1888 George Smail 1888 - 1890 William Taylor
Street plan of 1851