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

Drinking in an Old English Town

Tiger Liquor Vaults, Earl Street

These premises have been known by different names during their history:	FROM	TO	NAME
	1853	1861	TIGER LIQUOR VAULTS
	1861	1863	OLD PALACE VAULTS
The Coventry Herald of 18th September 1846 reports the granting of a Wine and Spirit license to T. G. Johnson, and the following month "Sadler, Harness and Collar Maker", Thomas George Johnson of Earl Street, advertised in the Coventry Standard that he has opened premises in the "Wine and Spirit Trade". For some time previous his property, described as "situate on the south side of Earl-street", had contained many elements, including a Front Shop, Brewhouse, Stable and Porter Stores. In 1851 he retired and transferred the Earl Street business to his son, T. G. Johnson Jun., and also a "Sadler, Wine and Spirit Merchant". By January 1853 this pub is being referred to as the "TIGER VAULTS" in newspaper reports and licence transfers. In October and November 1855, however, the TIGER WINE AND SPIRIT VAULTS is advertised to be "Disposed of by private treaty", and the name "Tiger" no longer appears. By June 1861 the licence transfer section of the Coventry Herald and Observer described F. G. Johnson [sic] as "late of the Tiger liquor vaults, Earl Street". In April that year the license had been transferred from T. G. Johnson junior to Robert Davis after Johnson had been declared bankrupt the previous month. Victualler Davis was appointed to take over as licensee. For the following two years, 1861 to 1863 Davis ran an establishment known as the OLD PALACE VAULTS in Earl Street. Was this the same premises?
LICENSEES: 1846 - 1851 Thomas George Johnson 1851 - 1861 Thomas George Johnson junior 1861 Robert Davis