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

Drinking in an Old English Town

Watchmakers Arms, St Peters Street

This pub is advertised to let in 1856 after over nine years with Thomas Cooke and his wife. The Cookes had celebrated their ninth anniversary at the pub in November 1855. From February 1856 the pub was put up for auction by Thomas - and continued the advert until early September 1857. However, confusingly, just a couple of weeks later on the 25th September, the Coventry Standard carried this article: SALE OF FREEHOLD PROPERTY. - The freehold public house known by the sign of the " Watchmaker's Arms," St. Peter-street, Hill Fields, was knocked down on Wednesday last [23rd], by Taunton and son, at the Bull's Head, Bishop-street, to Mr. John Smith, for £390. It would appear that John Smith was offered the pub for a "knock down" price, and that it didn't refer to demolition! Either way, Smith didn't end up buying the premises, as he entered into a court battle with Cooke over his valuation of the remaining stock. The Watchmaker's was finally auctioned by final owner Thomas Burton on the 24th May 1860 and not mentioned again. Watchmaking was a common occupation in Coventry from the mid-18th century.

LICENSEES: 1846 - 1859 Thomas Cooke 1859 George Makepeace 1860 Thomas Burton

Street plan of 1851

Google map location (Due to the scaling on old maps, the pin location might not be 100% accurate.)