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

Drinking in an Old English Town

Old Baths Hotel, 35 Smithford Street

These premises have been known by different names during their history:	FROM	TO	NAME
	1829	1835	BATH HOTEL
	1835	1867	DELL'S WINE AND SPIRIT VAULTS
	1861	1871	BEERHOUSE
	1867	1882	BOARD
	1882	1886	OLD BATHS WINE AND SPIRIT VAULTS
	1886	1888	OLD BATHS VAULTS
	1888	1951	OLD BATHS HOTEL
Situated at 35 Smithford Street, the Old Baths Hotel, which is known to have existed at least 75 years before this picture was taken, finally closed when Smithford Street was redeveloped. Mr. H. Hewitt is seen here proudly standing in front of his premises; the sign above advertising his noted home brewed ales, at 3d, 4d, 5d & 6d per quart. These premises were used by carriers conveying passengers to and from Allesley and Meriden. Good stabling was also offered, the entrance to the yard at the rear of the premises being seen to the left. Established in 1829 as the BATH HOTEL, from 1835 the premises became DELL'S WINE AND SPIRITS VAULTS. From 1867 until December 1882 it is called the BOARD, but from late that month it became The OLD BATHS WINE AND SPIRIT VAULTS. But to complicate things again, during William Denbigh's short tenancy of just over a year he advertised it as the OLD BATHS VAULTS. From 1888 when Jane Hitchins took over the license it became the OLD BATHS HOTEL, a name that stuck until closure in 1951. W. Hiorns also began to run the OLD BATH STORES from these premises in April 1891, followed by Arthur Warner from September that year until 1904. In 1911 the licensee, Henry Hewitt, went into partnership with Frederick Kerby to manufacture motorcycles. The Roulette Cycle Company had premises at 84 Gosford Street and manufacturing ended with the Great War in 1914 when the company concentrated on bicycles until closing in 1919. In 1931 and 1932 the hotel advertised 'prime ales; choice wines and spirits'. It closed on 31st May 1951 to make way for the Precinct. The license was transferred to the Silver Sword.
LICENSEES: 1888 - 1891 Jane Hitchins 1891 - 1904 Arthur Warner (died 4th Jun 1904) 1904 Amy Warner (widow of Arthur, Jul to Nov) 1904 - 1908 Thomas Walters 1908 - 1913 Harry Hewitt 1913 - 1915 Annie Elizabeth Hewitt 1915 - 1918 James Brown Mennier 1918 - 1922 William James Boxall 1922 - 1928 Herbert James Pemberton 1928 - 1935 Guthrie McCutchion 1935 - 1936 Frank Wheeler 1936 Edward Ernest Aves 1937 - 1938 H. Payne 1939 - 1940 Edward Ernest Aves
Street plan of 1851