Re: City Arms Hotel, Fleet Street/West Orchard

[dutchman]

Thanks for pointing me at the post. But a question about it: you said "the original City Arms" - that doesn't look like the City Arms that I recall in Fleet St....or the other photo that I saw posted of it elsewhere...?

Only the corner of the City Arms is visible in that photograph Spuffler, the other building is the pre-war Co-Op. This is the reverse angle taken in 1959 with the site of the now-demolished Co-Op fenced-off:



and this is the view from an allyway in Fleet Street directly opposite West Orchard:



It's definitely the same pub.

[Spuffler]

Yes, it's the Co-op building that I was looking at - very dominant! In the upper photo, I like the Riley Falcon passing the line of parked cars. I bet that's not around now!! (Or the others, for that matter...)
Thanks

[NeilsYard]

Fantastic yet again Dutchman - That shot of the City Arms having St Johns in the background can really show you how it was compared to now.
Just wish it was all still there.......

[Spuffler]

Even if they had only built new buildings where the originals had been completely destroyed in the Blitz, it would have been far better than what they replaced it all with! The City Arms is a good example of the high quality of Victorian building, isn't it? The Victorians built to last, and to show their pride and individuality. So different to what is thrown up today. But we can't have the demolished buildings back....unfortunately. It would be some compensation if the council at least built some facsimiles of the demolished buildings to replace the ugly boxes they were replaced with....but there's never any money, is there....