Sir Robert Peel - Old Pubs and Old Ales of Tamworth

 Click on a thumbnail image to change the large photograph below - scroll the gallery with the arrows

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Licensees of the Sir Robert Peel 1976 - 1995 Bryan Thomas Barnsley 1995 - 1996 Craig Anthony Bennett 1996 - 1998 Colm O'Deochartaigh 1998 - 2000 Gerrard Joseph Mullan 2000 - 2000 Andrew Vardy 2000 - 2003 Jonathan Clive Burnett 2003 - Anthony Thomas Hill

Opened in the new millennium, the Sir Robert Peel is one of the 'new' pubs of Tamworth. The premises however are a little older in terms of being a licensed house. The history of the place being a drinking venue goes back to the Autumn of 1976. However, the buildings themselves are just a tadge older - the row of cottages on this side of the road date from the 15th to 17th century when the thoroughfare was probably still known as Gumpigate. The street was recorded as Gumpiyat in 1289.

When the buildings fell into some decay they were almost, like many other historic properties in Tamworth, removed from the landscape. Thankfully, the timber-framed houses were restored and, together with the neighbouring shops, this row has remained fairly unspoiled for a century. This is the reason that the adjacent properties have been featured in the gallery above.

The 1958 photograph shows that the cottages adjacent to Wood's fishmonger's shop were a little shabby and dilapidated but still inhabitable. However, decay in the ensuing decade was rapid and, by the time of the 1968 photographs, the properties had been abandoned, their fate looked bleak and their future seemed doomed. Thankfully, Cooper Bros (Property) Ltd. of Burton-on-Trent envisaged an alternative to demolition and, together with the builder Norman Phillips, restored the properties fronting Lower Gungate and created a pleasant row of shops in Little Church Lane.

The restoration was sympathetic and the completed edifices were warmly received. The Tamworth Herald's John Harper asserted accurately that the buildings were "irrefutable proof that the hackneyed response of 'if we hadn't pulled them down they'd have fallen down' - so often used to excuse the demolition of old buildings - is just so much bunkum." The fourth photograph in the gallery shows Nos.13-15 shortly after the restoration project. The Georgian-style windows suggest that the property developers envisaged retail outlets in the style of boutiques. After all, this was the mid-1970's - the era of fondue parties, Avon ladies, dangly beads, Farrah Fawcett haircuts and the music of Tony Hatch. It was also the age of the trendy wine bar. Inspired by continental holiday culture, wine bars were springing up all over the UK, an alternative to the traditional pub where sophisticated groovy people could hang out.

Establishing a small company called Peters-Barnsley Ltd and taking out a lease on the buildings, two entrepreneurs set about providing the town with a wine bar that would be the pride of Tamworth. David Peters and Bryan Barnsley, with more than a little help from their wives Pat and Valerie, set about creating an interior environment that would be contemporary but selected materials that would be harmonious with the historic building's character. In an article that appeared in the Tamworth Herald prior to the opening date of September 28th 1976, the proprietors were almost apologetic regarding the wall-to-wall carpeting but stressed that, combined with the old timbers used throughout, a cottage environment had been achieved. They didn't tell the press why they picked the name Hamlet's but it wouldn't be a surprise if the popular cigar adverts of the period acted as an inspiraton! Certainly, the phrase “Happiness is a place called Hamlet’s” became an advertising slogan.

When Hamlet's Wine Bar and Bistro opened in the Autumn of 1976 there was a choice of around 50 different wines. A glass of the house wine was 36p, a goblet was priced at a whopping 46p and, for those who wanted to really push the boat out, a bottle would set you back £1.65p. Competing with the likes of Berni Inns at the Moat House, Hamlet's offered reasonably-priced English and Continental food to Tammies who, along with the rest of the nation, were starting to eat out on a regular basis. Those visiting on  Tuesday and Wednesday evenings could dine with "relaxing voice of Andrew Lowe".  And for the pre-karaoke generation there was the chance to become a local legend at the wine bar's regular Monday free open folk night where Tammies were encouraged to bring their own instruments and voices".

The licence for Hamlet's was for wine only but within months Bryan Barnsley was filling in the forms in order to sell other alcoholic drinks. Word got around the town's pubs with the result that the local LVA [Licensed Victuallers' Association] objected to the application on the basis that, if it were granted, Hamlet's "could be used as if it were a public house." Peter Hogg, LVA secretary and licensee of the White Lion at Harlaston, told the licensing justices that "the bistro premises bore no relation to a pub" and maintained that "there were sufficient off-licence facilities at five pubs all within 300 yards." In consideration, the licensing justices granted a full licence but imposed a condition that "draught beer from barrel or keg should not be sold". Not to be outfoxed by the self-interested publicans of Tamworth, Bryan Barnsley spotted a loophole in the legislative decision. Hamlet's was not able to stock "barrels or kegs" but the licensing justices had seemingly forgotten about beer in a bottle. Consequently, the shelves behind the counter were duly stocked - not with the standard bitters available elsewhere, but with a few more unusual brands that would appeal to the beer connoisseur.

Finding support from the local branch of CAMRA [the Campaign for Real Ale], Bryan Barnsley astonished his rivals by selling 79 gallons of bottled beer in one week. Disgruntled Tamworth publicans were not amused by this new 'upstart' of a venue and simmering animosity broke out into open hostilities. Led by Colin Barber, chairman of Tamworth and District Licensed Victuallers' Association and landlord of the Gate Inn at Amington, the pub gaffers of Tamworth took their case to the licensing justices in order to stop the sale of beer at Hamlet's. The case turned into farce when the LVA claimed that "the toilets at Hamlet's could not cope with the extra trade". What they failed to report was that there were 'five pubs all within 300 yards' whose toilets could 'relieve' the situation. Solicitor Jan Jelemma was more forthright in speaking for the LVA and stated that his clients were in fear of another public house in Tamworth and that "it would be taking bread from their mouths". The LVA lost the 'bitter battle' and the licensing justices dismissed their complaint. A full licence was finally granted to Hamlet's on July 4th 1978.

Once the genie was out of the beer bottle so to speak, Bryan Barnsley stocked a wide variety of beers during the rest of the 1970's and throughout the 1980's. The regular ales sold were Marston's Pedigree and Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Bitter. These were augmented by a range of guest ales and Hamlet's also staged the occasional mini beer festival. Bryan and Valerie Barnsley kept the popular real ale outlet for a total of 19 years before receiving a lucrative offer for the premises from Bass Taverns in 1995. Feeling that they had done their bit and looking forward to a reduction in their working hours, they accepted the offer. Before they left the pub, the Barnsley's held a reunion party for all the people who had worked at Hamlet's. During the evening the couple made a presentation to Jean Brookes who had worked with them throughout those 19 years.

Bass Taverns made many structural alterations to the property before they re-opened the former wine bar as a branch of their O'Neill's chain of pubs. Essentially, this is a pub brand where a formulaic and contrived Irish theme pervades throughout. The most conspicuous alteration to the pub's frontage was the installation of Victorian-style shop windows that have the illusion of being supported by pilasters. The sash windows were fitted with etched glass advertising Irish brands of beer and stout. These were still in place in the post-O'Neill's era.

Once the novelty factor had worn off and the dust had settled on the wooden flooring, O'Neill's struggled for custom in a town that had much 'new' competition for trade in the form of Wetherspoon's and Yates' Wine Bar. It was time for a change and the man to step into the breach was Tony Hill, a former fireman who took over the licence in July 2003.

A new name was needed for the pub and it was decided to commemorate one of Tamworth's most celebrated figures, Sir Robert Peel, member of Parliament for Tamworth and twice Prime Minister  (1834-5 and 1841-6). He once delivered his Tamworth Manifesto expounding his ideas of free trade from the Town Hall in 1834. He was born in 1788 near Bury in Lancashire. His father, Sir Robert Peel (1750-1830) was also an MP from 1790 and was created a baronet in 1800. He was a wealthy cotton manufacturer and calico printer and Peel Jr. inherited a fortune from him. Educated at Harrow and Oxford, Peel became a Tory MP in 1809 when he was elected member for Cashel. In 1811 he was appointed under-secretary for the colonies, and from 1812-18 was secretary for Ireland. In this post he displayed a strong anti-Catholic spirit, and was fiercely attacked by Daniel O'Connell, earning the nickname 'Orange Peel.' O'Connell's attack was so fierce he challenged him to a duel. From 1818 till 1822 Peel remained out of office, but was MP for the University of Oxford. In 1819 he was chairman of the Bank Committee, and moved the resolutions which led to the resumption of cash payments. In 1822 he re-entered the ministry as Home Secretary a post he held until 1830 although during 1827 he, along with the Duke of Wellington, withdrew from office when George Canning formed a Whig-Tory alliance. As Home Secretary he carried through the government's reluctant religious concession, The Catholic Emancipation Act (1829) and reorganised the London Police Force who, subsequently, became known as 'Peelers' or 'Bobbies'. As Prime Minister, his second ministry concentrated upon economic reform but his decision to phase out agricultural protection by repealing the Corn Laws (1846) split his Party, and precipitated his resignation. He was defeated on an Irish Protection of Life Bill and he resigned. He remained in Parliament as leader of the 'Peelites' (1846-50), and died in London after a riding accident on 29th June 1850.

Tony Hill's marriage to his partner Paula in 2006 was notable because it was the first wedding held at the registry office established in the former arts centre on the corner of Church Street. The building was originally erected in 1798 and served as the town's first theatre. However, it was later turned into a pig market before being used as Sir Robert Peel's Gungate Malthouse. In another bizarre twist, it was turned into the town's Baptist Tabernacle Chapel in 1870. One of its chaplain's, the Revd. Donald Fraser, was killed when serving as an army chaplain in France during the First World War.

Tony and Paula Hill's home is next to the venue of their wedding but it is not the first time a Tamworth publican has resided at this address. Pictured at the end of the photograph gallery above, the house was once the home of Edwin Godderidge Ashwood, the publican responsible for rebuilding the Prince of Wales in 1894. There is some irony in the fact that Lower Gungate has a pub named after the Prince of Wales because, in 1368, the court of Tamworth ordered that "no men or women from Wales were to sell ale in Gumpigate under pain of forfeiture of their ale each time". This ruling stemmed from the decision by Philip Marmion to recruit a band of Welsh mercenaries in order to raid the Lady Mills belonging to Ralph Basset who had opened them as a rival to the Marmion-owned Castle Mills.

The other gallery photographs concentrate on the shops and houses between the licensee's house and the Sir Robert Peel, all of which have survived though No.3a has been rebuilt slightly - note the different roofline. The greatest continuity is at No.7 where there has been a fishmonger's shop for generations. However, in 2006 the shop that had been occupied by R.Wood and Son for many years had closed and the property was for sale. The fishmonger stood on the doorstep of the shop in the 1901 photograph was Mark Radbourne. The Warwickshire-born fishmonger kept the retail outlet with his wife Jane, a born-and-bred Tammy. In the lovely photograph taken around 1926, the shop was run by Thomas Smith. Next door at No.5 with the immaculate-looking horse-drawn delivery vehicle was the shop of George Claridge, a pork butcher who had moved to Gungate Street from premises in Corporation Street.

© Kieron McMahon [Pubs and Breweries of the Midlands: Past and Present]