Black Horse, Northfield Explained

Black Horse
Building Type:Public house
Architectural Style:Brewer's Tudor
Location:Northfield, Birmingham, England
Coordinates:52.4118°N -1.9738°W
Start Date:1929
Client:John Davenport and Sons
Architect:Francis Goldsbrough
Awards:Grade II* listed

The Black Horse is a Grade II* listed public house in Northfield, Birmingham, England. The building had its Grade-II heritage status upgraded to II* in August 2015.[1]

History

The 1904 Licensing Act gave magistrates powers to close public houses that were considered socially harmful. The Black Horse was built in the suburbs. At that time many public houses were built in the suburbs and designed to encourage respectable clientele since the licence could otherwise be withdrawn.

There was originally a gravelled drive for coach parties, motor vehicles, charabancs and other horse-drawn vehicles. The Black Horse is one of the largest Public houses ever built in Brewer's Tudor style. There are bars, dining areas, and a replica great hall. The rear of the Black Horse is in Cotswold stone facing a terrace garden.[2]

The earlier public house was demolished and this building was erected in 1929–1930 to the designs of the architect Francis Goldsbrough of Bateman & Bateman. The client was the brewery company John Davenport and Sons. The stone carving was done by Sidney Smithin and the wood carving by Jean Hahn. The Black Horse was further refurbished in the early 21st century.[3]

John Davenport and Sons was taken over by Greenall Whitley in 1986 and afterwards the pub became a Wetherspoons house.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The innbetweeners: whimsical pubs of interwar years win Grade II listing. Wainwright. Oliver. 28 August 2015. The Guardian. 28 August 2015. 5 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905210213/http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/aug/28/inns-whimsical-pubs-interwar-years-win-grade-ii-listing. live.
  2. Web site: How Did Victorian Drinking Establishments Become Family-Friendly Pubs in the 20th Century? . https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20150805043559mp_/http://historicengland.org.uk/listing/showcasing/heritage%2Dhighlights/victorian%2Ddrinking%2Destablishments . dead . 5 August 2015 . 2015-10-06.
  3. News: . Northfield pub dubbed 'one of England's most sumptuous' granted extra protection . 6 October 2015 . 6 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151006172141/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/northfield-pub-dubbed-one-englands-9943303 . live .