Modern times have not been good times for Britain’s pubs, and there have been a huge number of closures.
Like other areas, Telford has been hit hard, and many a local has been lost forever. In some cases the pub building has been converted and given another life, like, for instance, the former Pear Tree Bridge Inn at Oakengates, which was turned into flats, or the Royal Oak in Madeley, which is now an Indian restaurant.
Often though the pattern has been of demolition followed by redevelopment, with perhaps the name of the former pub being remembered in some way by whatever is built on the site.
Then there are those pubs which have had a less dignified fate, with their grim story being: closed down, burned down, knocked down.
In our photo selection we showcase just a few of Telford’s disappeared pubs and clubs from relatively recent years. They were once lively, social places of laughter and chat, drinking and darts, music and pool. Now gone.
Raise a glass and say goodbye.
1. Duke of Wellington met its Waterloo
The Duke of Wellington pub was in New Street, Wellington. This picture from our archives has the date February 15, 1963, and the caption said it was "closed during February 1962 and due for demolition." What is puzzling is that if this picture is from February 1963, by which time the pub was closed, why are the lights on and why is a woman apparently about to walk through the front door? | Shropshire Star archive
2. Ketley's White Lion in the days it did a roaring trade
The White Lion at Ketley in a photo which may date from the early 20th century. In any event, it's during the time one Henry William Armstrong was licensee. The facade bore the date 1661. The pub closed around 2017 and, to some local disgust, was knocked down and replaced by a small Sainsbury's supermarket, which has paid homage to the former pub by incorporating a version of the lion sign and date on its frontage | Shropshire Star archive
3. Arson attack
Fire crews attend a fire at the Cheshire Cheese pub in Doseley Road, Dawley, in January 2020. The pub had been closed for nearly a year by that time and the fire was blamed on arsonists. | Sam Bagnall
4. It's just hard cheese
Demolition of the Cheshire Cheese in its final stages in November 2022. Planning permission had previously been refused by Telford & Wrekin Council to knock down the pub and build six houses and four bungalows in its place. The council said the pub was an “important signifier of the area’s industrial past,” particularly in conjunction with the nearby Grade II listed railway bridge which crosses Doseley Road. However, after two arson attacks the pub was beyond saving and the council gave the go-ahead for its loss. | Toby Neal