However, uncertainty still surrounded the area around the snug and its relationship to the now blocked up door from the alleyway. This was compounded when current licensee Craig produced an old photo showing that door labelled “Bottle and Jug”.
Only one thing for it – ask Greene King for the architect’s plans, and they quickly obliged. These cleared up the mystery. The alleyway door had indeed led to an off-sales, straight ahead, with a wall on the right, now removed. However the snug was there, accessed from a door on the left – so it’s original after all. You can also see on its outside wall (now within the bar) the tip-up seats used by customers of the “office”.
The drawings also confirm that the bar counter and bar back, the dados and bench seating and the fireplaces were all installed at the time of the refit.
It’s certainly great to learn that the snug, one of the most atmospheric pub rooms in the area, is a genuine relic from Victorian times. And although the rest of the interior is essentially a confection, it’s still a lovely place to be – helped of course by the consistent excellence of the ale and food.