Some 21 inter-war pubs have been listed for protection by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport following a project by Historic England which focused on venues from that era.
The pubs, most listed at Grade II and one upgraded to II*, are local landmarks shaped by the “improved pub” movement that followed the First World War.
Between 1918 and 1939 breweries rebuilt thousands of pubs, spurred on by the need to appeal beyond their usual male clientele and leave behind the image of drunkenness associated with Victorian and Edwardian pubs.
By creating bigger, better pubs with restaurants, gardens and community meeting spaces, breweries aimed to attract more respectable customers, to appeal to families and particularly women.
Among the new listings is The Berkeley Hotel in Scunthorpe which, unusually, was commissioned, decorated and run by pub landlady, Edith Kennedy.
Further afield in Birmingham is The Black Horse, dubbed by architect Basil Oliver “one of the most sumptuous inns in the district, if not England”, now upgraded to Grade II*.
Also listed is the Royal Oak, on the doorstep of the famous Columbia Road Flower market in Hoxton and called an “early pub” because it serves market traders from 9am on Sundays. It is also a sought-after filming location, often the backdrop in BBC TV series Goodnight Sweetheart, and played a starring role in British gangster film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Heritage Minister Tracey Crouch said: “These inter-war pubs are more than a slice of living history, they play an intrinsic role in English culture and our local communities. I’m delighted that these pubs and their fascinating history have been protected for generations to enjoy for years to come.”
At least 5,000 pubs were built during the inter-war years but they are an overlooked and threatened building type, with few surviving today. One researched through the project and earmarked for listing was the Carlton Tavern in Kilburn, north-west London, recently demolished without warning before it could be protected.
Pubs listed through the project include:
:: The Black Horse, Birmingham, built 1929-30, upgraded to Grade II*
One of the finest examples of inter-war pubs, with no equal in size, ambition or quality. Built by Birmingham brewery Davenport’s, which already ran a successful home delivery service, it aimed to offer a real destination, a sense of occasion and escapism.
:: The Berkeley Hotel, Scunthorpe, built late 1930s
Was commissioned by Edith Kennedy, who in a highly unusual collaboration developed the pub in partnership with brewery Samuel Smith, decorated it and eventually ran it with her husband.
:: The Daylight Inn, Petts Wood, Kent, built 1935
Named for nearby resident William Willett, who campaigned tirelessly for daylight saving, finally introduced after his death in 1916. It was the only pub in the district for several decades.
:: The Royal Oak, Columbia Road, London, constructed in 1923 by Truman’s, which built many “improved” pubs at this time
On the doorstep of the famous Columbia Road flower market in Hoxton. An important filming location thanks to its authentic feel and surrounding cobbled streets.
:: Golden Heart, Spitalfields, London, built 1936 by Truman’s
Just down the road from Truman’s Black Eagle brewery on Brick Lane, and emblazoned with the rare “Truman’s” neon lighted sign, the Golden Heart is a stately pub which during the 1980s and 90s became associated with the artistic and cultural vibrancy of Spitalfields and was the local for artists such as Tracey Emin and Sarah Lucas.
:: The Duke William, Stoke on Trent, built 1929
There has been a Duke William pub on this site since the early 1800s and the building seen today has survived well since being rebuilt in 1929 – even the majority of the original windows remain.
:: The Wheatsheaf, Merseyside, built 1938
The day The Wheatsheaf opened, according to local Frank Baumber, a great crowd of ale drinkers, lured by the promise of a free pint, were met by campaigners who sang and preached, warning against entering the “House of the Devil”. It was this popular image of the pub that breweries were committed to defying with the “improved” pub movement.
:: The Gatehouse, Norwich, built 1934
The Gatehouse suffered some bomb damage in the Second World War but survives remarkably well and is still a striking landmark designed to entice passing trade. The bar has the feeling of a small-scale baronial hall and is decorated with medieval style panels of stained glass windows, said to be inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry.