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

Drinking in an Old English Town

Victoria Theatre, 38 Fleet Street

These premises have been known by different names during their history:	FROM	TO	NAME
	1574	1851	RAM INN, RAMME, RAM HOUSE INN
	1841	1841	BEERHOUSE
	1851	1866	ROYAL EXCHANGE
	1866	1866	WINE & SPIRIT VAULTS
	1868	1871	BRITANNIA MUSIC HALL
	1871	1892	BRITANNIA VAULTS
	1874	1877	VICTORIA THEATRE
	1874	?	BRITANNIA THEATRE OF VARIETIES
In an 1874 directory we have 'The Victoria Theatre, formerly Britannia Theatre of Varieties'. This is the BRITANNIA VAULTS. There are references to this pub in 1574 and 1630 as the RAM in recrords held by the Coventry Records Office. It is leased in 1610, 1618 and 1634 by Coventry Corporation, who owned it at the time. In 1770 and 1800 the pub is still there but by 1808 and 1834 the Ram Society, a Friendly Society, was meeting in other pubs. On the 1851 Health Map it is shown as the ROYAL EXCHANGE, which appears to have been a Music Hall as well as a pub! In 1841 see the BEERHOUSE, Smithford Street, Dalton In 1851 the Coventry Standard notes the change of name fron the RAM to the ROYAL EXCHANGE and later in the year the same paper says that Mr Miller opened a Music Hall at the inn and changed the name. In 1866 the ROYAL EXCHANGE, previously the RAM, was demolished and re-opened as the WINE AND SPIRIT VAULTS. By 1874 this had become the Britannia Theatre of Varieties whilst the licensed premises became known as the BRITANNIA VAULTS. At various times, this section of street has been known as either Fleet Street or Smithford Street, depending upon whether the numbering began and ended at Ram Bridge, or the junction with West Orchard.
LICENSEES: 1874 J. G. Taylor
Street plan of 1851