A full licence was granted to the Midland, circa 1864. It was then owned by Pochins the iron mongers. prior to that it was a beer house only Wm and Elizabeth Barsby license’s since c1840.
J Argyle and Frederick Argyle the first with the full licence 1854, they were there almost 35 years when Arthur Beardsmore in 1897. Harry Oswin who’s family owned the Midland was landlord during 1st War through to 1931 The Oswins sold the pub to Shipstones c1914. 1931 Henry James Creese entered the pub until the Clay family would then run the Midland at the outbreak of W W 2 Sidney followed by Herbert Clay.
By 1963 the ‘slum’ clearance was well under way in Upper Conduit St, but the Midland soldiered on for a time, in fact 1964 and 65 the pub was to advertise for a pianist at the weekends.
The Midland closed circa 1967 under the house clearance scheme around that area.
My great grandfather owned this pub.
My Dad, Michael Clay lived in the Midland from 1937 and his Dad, my Grandad was Herbert Sidney Clay was the landlord. My Dad thinks my Grandad moved out in 1963. He says the date shown on the frontage of the building was 1899. He has many stories about the pub during WW2 and the bombing nearby. Apparently it didn’t stop them going to school!
Thanks Adam, great story and memories of your granddad, much apreciated.