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

Drinking in an Old English Town

Wine and Spirit 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
The Coventry Herald on the 11th September 1829 published a list of new public houses, among them John Wallis's pub The Board, Butcher Row. This turned out to be a WINE AND SPIRIT VAULTS. On the 11th December 1833 John Yates' announced to the public in the Coventry Herald that we was opening an "Imperial Wine and Spirit Mart, (At Mr. Water's late residence,) Top of the Butcher Row, Coventry.". It could be possible that the first license to John Wallis, should actually have read John Waters. When George Cobley took over the license from widow Martha Crockford in August 1851 he gave this premises the name Victoria Wine and Spirit Vaults - generally shortened in publications to Victoria Vaults. The address was variously given as Top of Butcher Row / Trinity Church Side / Trinity Church Yard / Derby Lane, and similar. It seems likely that the pub was, as described, "at the rear" of the south side of Butcher Row (the highest, or top, end), nearest to Trinity Churchyard - possibly the last premises on the left in the lovely early 20th century image on the left.
LICENSEES: 1829 - 1833 John Wallis (or Waters) 1833 - 1837 John Yates 1837 - 1848 John Gadsby 1848 - 1850 Joseph Crockford (died 14th Feb 1850. Was also at the Denbigh Arms, Gosford Street) 1850 - 1851 Martha Crockford (widow of Joseph) 1851 George Cobley
Street plan of 1851