Historic Shrewsbury pub back in business
When The Dolphin public house in Shrewsbury was built, George IV was monarch, Hans Christian Ørsted had just discovered the relationship between electricity and magnetism and the last public execution on the streets of Britain had been held.
Now, almost 200 years on, the historic pub and some of its original features dating back to 1820 have been saved and given a new lease of life by opening its doors again to punters of a different era.
New landlord Steve Illidge has taken on the venue with the support of Market Drayton-based Joule's Brewery. An open evening was held at the pub last night and it was opening to the public for business today.
The traditional Victorian alehouse has had a chequered recent history and closed in 2011 over reports that the previous landlord had struggled to attract trade. It was put up for auction with the threat of being turned into flats or housing until Joule's Brewery stepped in.
Mr Illidge, 27, who has a degree in heritage studies, has worked with the brewery to complete an extensive three-month restoration project using local craftsmen to reinstate the old bar and small snugs.
The pub's original wood flooring, gas lighting and wood burners have all been retained.
Emulsion prints of the nearby Flax Mill adorn the interior and, in recognition of it being next to the town's fire station, old fire masks from around the country hang up high and even a former fire hose has been turned into a beer pump.
Mr Illidge said: "Back in the day it was in an area which was a hive of industry and this pub was one of the key places to come and drink.
"But with it struggling in recent times and the pub industry being as fickle as it is, it was put up for auction and could have ended up as anything."
