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

Drinking in an Old English Town

Liquor Vaults, 17 Smithford Street

These premises have been known by different names during their history:	FROM	TO	NAME
	c1812	1883	LIQUOR VAULTS / SPIRIT VAULTS
	1883	1940	THEATRE VAULTS
As early as 1812 we have a record of William Whittem as a liquor merchant, and the Pigot directory of 1928 ties him down to Smithford Street with Whittem & Son. William Whittem's son was John, who carried on the business of Wine Merchant (and shroud manufacturer) after his father's death in 1929. John ran his Wine and Spirits business (sometimes described as "liquor vaults" in license transfer reports) for three decades until his death in 1859, after which his wife, Mary Ann, took over the license for 18 months before handing it over to William Morris. It was this 1861 transfer that ties the name "Theatre Yard" with the premises, confirming its location. As with most public houses, these premises were described in many ways over the years, including BOARD VAULTS and SPIRIT VAULTS. In 1883, however, the place took on the more familiar name of THEATRE VAULTS.
LICENSEES: c1812 - 1829 William Whittem (died 1829) 1829 - 1859 John Whittem (son of William, died 25th Sep 1859) 1859 - 1861 Mary Ann Whittem (John's widow) 1861 - 1876 William Morris, liquor merchant 1876 Thomas Heap 1881 - 1882 Thomas Wade 1882 - 1883 William Growcott Wright
Street plan of 1851
Google map location (Due to the scaling on old maps, the pin location might not be 100% accurate.)