by Blitzkid » Tue May 03, 2022 5:57 pm
The White Lion Hotel at 50 Smithford street was the oldest Hotel in Coventry it had the normal bar and rooms above. a small cobbled yard led round the back to stables, Corn market, at 51 was the large corn Market. in Victorian times, the corn Market era was over so the main Coventry post Office took over 51, in early Victorian times-- 1902 the P.O moved to Hertford street, sweet or some small shops replaced the P.O.
In 1920 the White Lion was re-built, brick by brick, it re-opened in 1921 but now it had a bay window on the second floor, the Landlords Lounge, where he could sit and watch the people below.
In 1933 Hitler came to power, Claimed Germany a fascist state, and Europe was in turmoil, meetings in every Country, and every where.
Now the White horse could see the way to more money, it aquired no 51 and in 1934 it built a restaurant, kitchens, another bar, and a function room, turned the roof into staff live- in quarters, it Hired out the function room to the fascist party, placed the advert signs from of the front of the building to the pavement (found a couple of years ago by Coventry) and now Coventry had running fights secret meetings, the communist started the daily star, and friend's and brothers joined different Political groups. and Coventry/England was no longer the friendly place it once was.