Chapelfields pub to shut forever as locals say closure is 'such a shame'

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The Nursery Tavern will be closing on St Patrick's Day



A well-established Coventry pub will soon be closing its doors for good. The Nursery Tavern in Chapelfields will shut for the final time on St Patricks Day (Sunday, March 17).

The Nursery Tavern is a traditionally-decorated pub that has stood proudly in the city since the 1800s. It will now be closing for the final time next weekend with the owner saying it was 'time to move on to other things.'

It comes after the city-based pub took the decision to close on Tuesdays as they were struggling with 'staffing and energy costs.' Pubgoers said they were 'saddened' to hear of the closure of the much-loved pub on Lord Street.

A spokesman for The Nursery Tavern said: “Just want to let everyone know that next weekend will be our last weekend at the pub. St Patrick's Day, we will be open and that will be the final night for us.

“We have loved having you all in and part of the pub - however, it is time to move on to other things. Please join us to see the pub out and of course to drink the bar dry! Thanks to all who have supported the business!”

Customers have been left saddened by the closure which they described as 'a shame.' Helen Skipper said: “I am sad to hear this. Hopefully will still see you all. Good luck with what comes next.”

Craig Gillin said: “Such a shame pal after all of the hard work.” Paul Forbes commented: “Sorry to hear that, I wish you all the best to the future and your next adventure.”

It's more sad news for pub-goers in the city. Last month, Flannellys on Holyhead Road was put up for sale.

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The name comes from a plant nursery which was once located nearby in Allesley Old Road.

There were plans at one time to replace the pub with a much larger one on the corner but a dispute between the brewery and council over a different matter put an end to that.

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The Nursery Tavern could close this week just months after reopening



A Coventry pub looks set to close again after re-opening just a few months ago. The Nursery Tavern on Lord Street in Chapelfields, initially closed in March 2024.

The Stonegate-owned pub opened its doors to customers once more in November of the same year. But just a few months on, it is understood a new tenant is being sought, with the current landlord taking to Facebook to let customers know the pub will likely shut, announcing a closing down sale in the coming days.

A statement on the pub's Facebook page reads: "7th, 8th, 9th March. All draught products £2.50 a pint open at midday till 11pm this is the last week of opening so this is goodbye from The Nursery Tavern Coventry for the final time.

"I don't see much hope for this beautiful little pub in the future but u [sic] never know. Just want to thank Helen Skipper and Steve for there continued support - day in day out, true nursery supporters."

The post signed off: "It's been emotional - goodbye." Stonegate has been approached for a comment.

The 19th century-built pub is often associated with the Craven Street Pub Crawl, popular with drinkers due to there once being so many drinking establishments over a short walking distance.

It's unusual name is explained on the Historic Coventry website: "The first real building on the land around the Chapelfields area was Chapelfields House with a nursery garden at the beginning of the 19th century.

"The nursery garden was called Weare's Nursery and lay on Thomas White's Charity Land. Thomas Weare, a nurseryman and seedsman, had a shop in Broadgate and it is because of him that the pub got its name. In 1845 an Act of parliament empowered the trustees of the charity to lay out roads and sell plots by public auction for development.

"The license for the Nursery Gardens was granted to George Hands on 24th August 1852. By January 1854 the name had become the Nursery Tavern ."

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Licensee required after company rescues closed Coventry pub



A historic and much loved pub looks set to get a new lease of life after a difficult few years. The Nursery Tavern in Chapelfields was once a much-loved social spot located close to the popular Craven Street run.

Traditionally well regarded among real ale enthusiasts, the pub has struggled under different management, closing most recently back in March of this year, having been open for just a few months. At the time it was a Stonegate pub, but a company called Black Country Ales has just announced it has purchased the venue.

The Lord Street boozer will no doubt get all the required work before opening. But high on the priority list is finding a licensee to take over.

Black Country Real Ales Facebook page reads: "Black Country Ales is pleased to announce the purchase of The Nursery Tavern in Chapelfields, Coventry. The pub takes its name from Thomas Weare, a local nurseryman and seedsman whose gardens once stood nearby.

"A licence was first granted in 1852, and by 1854 the site was known as The Nursery Tavern. Through generations, it became a true community pub, known for its welcoming atmosphere and local following. Its distinctive position amongst the terraces makes it one of the area’s most recognisable landmarks, close to the well-known Earlsdon and Craven Street pub crawl.

"It will become the first Black Country Ales pub in the city of Coventry, joining our growing estate of traditional, community-focused pubs across the Midlands. We look forward to carefully restoring The Nursery Tavern, preserving its heritage and character while bringing it back to life as a community hub specialising in real ale."

It concludes: "We are seeking a licensee to run The Nursery Tavern. To apply, please send your CV to recruitment@blackcountryales.co.uk."

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/licensee-required-after-company-rescues-32869486