These snaps of historic Northampton pubs have been dug up from the archives by local historian Dave Knibb
So many fondly-remembered Northampton pubs have shut their doors over the years but are still in the memories of their customers.
These photos - researched by Dave Knibb, the author of 'Last Orders: A History and Directory of Northampton Pubs' - show some of Northampton's historic stomping grounds.
Dave's self-published book has sold more than 2,000 copies. Call 07939990790 or email [email protected] to buy a copy.
Dave's self-published book has sold more than 2,000 copies. Call 07939990790 or email [email protected] to buy a copy.
5. THE PLUMBERS' ARMS– 16 Sheep Street
Dave said: "The earliest definitive date for it was from 1789 when William Pointer was in charge, he owned a fair amount of land around the town and ran his wholesale spirits business from the pub. The Plumbers' didn’t have the best of reputations, being on the road from the Barracks to the town centre, it was a favourite haunt of soldiers and the frequent fights that came with them. During the 1830s and '40s it was regularly available to let, whether it was the trouble that saw such a high turnover of landlords or maybe the owners, the Oundle Union Brewing Company, weren’t very good employers isn’t known. Trade over time was always brisk and it had no problem surviving the council's cull of licences in the early 20th Century and continued up until 1959. There are still people who remember the pub when it was open, but many more remember it being Thursby’s the Gunsmiths for many years." Photo: Dave Knibb
Dave said: "The ‘King Billy’, as us locals knew it, was a true village green pub. Set on one corner of the Green, with the St John the Baptist Church on another corner, it was the ideal location for a pre wedding tipple. There’s no way it could have had its name back then though as King William IV wasn’t on the throne until 1830, it may have got it by the time he (the King) died in 1837 but the first definite mention was in 1841 when Samuel Parbery was running it. The Parbery dynasty were then to dominate the pub for years. The King William IV, after a couple of closures, shut forever at the end of 2016. Scandalous." Photo: Dave Knibb