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

Drinking in an Old English Town

Wine and Spirit Vaults, 14 Priory Row

In September 1787 Aris's Birmingham Gazette advertised that John Villers was taking to the Wine Vaults in Priory Row, lately occupied by Mr. Mander, and before that, Mssrs. Gravenor & Watts. Villers held this business in Priory Row until 1805 when it was put up for auction as a ready made Wine and Spirits business to be taken by the next occupier who, in November 1807 turned out to be John Bagshaw junior. After the following month, however, Bagshaw's newspaper advertisements dry up. We do not hear any more until Joseph Collins comes onto the scene, whose Wine and Spirit-merchants partnership with Benjamin Parker and Richard Roby in Leamington Priors was dissolved on the 24th June 1825. Pigot's directory of 1828 lists Joseph Collins & Co. as Wine and Spirit merchants in Priory Row, so it is quite probable that these premises are the same location. In 1835, however, the business listed in the directory is Collins & Parker - so had Collins joined forces with Benjamin Parker once again? From 1850 Daniel E. Collins is listed in directories, and even though various family members took on the license, the name Collins, D. E. & Co. at 14 Priory Row is continually listed in directories until 1955. Left: Priory Row in the early 1900s. The photographer nowadays would be standing inside the New Cathedral !

LICENSEES: Mssrs. Gravenor & Watts to 1787 Mr. Mander 1787 - 1805 John Villers 1807 John Bagshaw junior 1828 Joseph Collins 1876 - 1955 Collins, D. E. & Co.

Street plan of 1851