One of the last to survive of the numerous pubs off the Wharf Street area – by the 1990s only two or three were left. The Bakers closed and was sold in 1998 after vainly struggling to remain a back street local since the re-development left the area bereft of housing.
The name Bakers derived from its early trading as well as supplying ale. The ovens were still in existence into the 1990s. Brunts Brewery supplied the beer, which then transferred to Nottingham Brewery, then on to Tennant’s and then Whitbread.
The Bakers was a beer only pub, 1863 Isaac Page baker, owner and first licensee, 1870 a German Jewess Dinah Aaron lodging at the Bakers -but spoke no English-caught the pub servant girl aged 15 Patty Willy riffling through her box in the bedroom, Dinah Aaron had to call foe an interpreter Willy was remanded. 1872 Isaac Page fined for having his house open after hours. in 1873 the landlord Isaac Page, was charged with selling spirits without a licence. Isaac applied in 1877 for a wine and spirit licence but it was refused.
1881 Jonathan Wilkins became licensee. (he died aged 33 in 1886) and in 1886 Catherine Fanny Wilkins, John William Morris Jan 1900, The Nottingham Brewery became the owners.
William Hollick Sept 1900, Samuel Wright April 1901, Thomas Forbes Sept 1901. Amos Lee 1906, Albert Beadsworth 1907, Alfred Potter 1909, Mary Potter 1918, Alfred Potter again 1919 (since deceased) Mary Ann Potter 1923, Enoch Pemberton 1932, Harold Gillam c1936. Sidney Richardson c1949. Sarah Wright 1954, on Feb 13th 1959 unlucky for her Sarah was robbed of £450, when intruder broke in whilst she was in town. Sarah a widow twice lost her second husband at the Bakers c1957,
It was not until 1935 that the Bakers with Harold Gillam obtained a wine and spirit licence.
On the Monday of the 30th November 1998, the tenant of the Bakers held an auction to sell off the fixtures and fittings, ending its back street pub role.
The Bakers 1990 (Chris Pyrah)
The Bakers was to remain closed for little over a year when private buyers bought the property and enterprisingly turned it into a music venue. In view of its location this was a brave gamble.
On the 3rd of February 2000, the old Bakers was reborn as the Musician. Despite its small size it soon had a reputation for good music and bands.
Sadly the Musician announced its closure Jan 2025, it will be a sad loss, we await what happens next.