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

Drinking in an Old English Town

Victoria Vaults, Butcher Row (Top of / Church-side)

These premises have been known by different names during their history:	FROM	TO	NAME
	1829	1851	WINE AND SPIRIT VAULTS
	1851	1857	VICTORIA VAULTS
Previously known more simply as the Wine and Spirit Vaults (and occasionally referred to as "the Board", when George Cobley took over from Martha Crockford in August 1851 he took on the name Victoria Wine and Spirit Vaults. The address was variously given as Derby Lane, Butcher Row / Trinity Church Side / Trinity Church Yard, and other similar variations. The occasional reporting of the address as Derby Lane can cause confusion. However, addressing was less consistent in earlier times, and premises' locations often referred to as being 'near' a particular street. Another example similar to this case was the Toby's Head in Pepper Lane - a pub which faced Derby Lane, but was occasionally reported as being in that street. In 1856 the license was withdrawn at the request of the police as it was a 'disorderly house'. Later in the year it was used for an auction and in October the stock was for sale and the licensee, Mr Botterill, was leaving. By 1857 Edward Clews Jacombs had become landlord, and was charged with having his house open in the early hours of Christmas Day. The newspaper report the following week described the house as now being a beer-shop, which also served food.
LICENSEES: 1851 - 1852 George Cobley 1852 William Botterill 1855 - 1856 Thomas Botterill 1857 Edward Clews Jacombs
Street plan of 1851