Stood on the corner of Belgrave Gate and Woodboy St, opposite Foundry Square.
Listed as the Iron Founders Arms in 1838 when licensees held a meeting here to discuss the implications of the new licensing laws. James Hyam or Hiam was licensee in the 1840s. In 1848, all the brewing vessels, kegs, F&F and genteel furniture were sold off at auction.
By the 1850s the pub was known as the Miltons Head, Samuel Millis its licensee. He transferred his licence to John Heywood in 1854.
In 1859, the L.V.A. meeting called at the Sultan Vaults, so by now on its third name change. c1864 Benjamin Shelton was listed as owning and licensee until c1881. Although it seems John Tew would hold the licence 1866 for a time, eventually reverting to Benjamin Shelton. Shelton also owned land at the Public Wharf Belgrave Gate & Navigation Inn, 1877 The Groom Thomas Cook was sentenced to three months hard labour for stealing 50 half gall jars from Benjamin. (Benjamin Shelton Jnr would also hold licensees including the Eclipse)
On 19 July 1873, an ad appeared in the local paper appealing for a ‘respectable young women as second bar maid. One who has a desire to learn the business, will find this a good opportunity.’
John Coleman licensee 1881-1888 followed by Charles Coleman and John Coleman Jnr, James Flint 1890, Thomas Spriggs 1892, Frederick Stokes March 1893, Francis Idle 1895, Mary Ann Idle 1898.
In November 1898, a customer was found drunk on the premises: a week later on the 19th of November 1898, the licensee was charged with permitting drunkenness.
Arthur Henry Jackson licensee 1899. Allsop & Sons Brewery of Burton now owned the pub.
Amongst later licensees was 1900 Harry Wilkinson. The Wilkinsons ran the Victoria Model lodging house in Britannia St. (still standing and well worth a look at the relief work in the brickwork), a temperance lodge supposedly designed to provide a better standard than those of neighbouring lodges. (See Drink & Damnationby Barry Lount & Robert Spur). Harry Wilkinson also played for the Tigers during the 1890s. Harry – a flying winger – scored 153 tries for Tigers 1895-1905.
Harry Wiggington licencee 1905, George Rollestone 1909, John Sharpe 1926..
The pub was rebuilt as the Sultan of Egypt in 1931, along with the other surviving pubs in the road widening of Belgrave Gate. Harry Edward Marris landlord 1938, followed by Albert Reesby . Albert & Betty Reesby retired from the Sultan in 1976 after 37 years (below)
1986 Fred Brightman, 1990 Harry Fordham, Finally closed January 1994, and sold as offices.
Sultan building still standing 2022, not sure why artwork of Jimi Hendrix is on adjoining building, as an icon of the counter culture in the late 1960s-70s its doubtful if many of today’s generation know who he is. (perhaps someone will let us know?)
I used to drink in the Sultan when Dave Cook {Cooky] had it in the 1980s .We used the Forresters Arms off Wharf Street but that closed and we all moved to the Sultan. darts teams,skittle teams both ladies and mens teams ,the fishing club, and Cooky realy appreciated the custom and looked after us, myself Pete Adams ,Ivan Liquorise, Al Biggs and the rest of the crowd from the Forros spent many a happy hour in there with Cooky ..Happy days
This building belongs to my friend and has been in his family now for decades. I can answer your question it’s a printing firm called Elite Graphics.
I can answer your question. This building is owned my my friend and has been for decades. It’s a printing firm called Elite Grqphics.