Photo above: The Rocket getting ready for the opening in March 1959.
The pub was aptly named Rocket on Stephenson’s Drive New Parks Estate. This was out of town housing, many from the inner city housing clearance. Everards transferred the licence from the Mitre & Keys in the town.
No expense was spared for the lounge interior fitting. The Rocket instantly was well run and supported, but like many pubs post 1990, that was to change.
From here on in the Rocket gained a bit of a reputation. Like many of the pubs built on suburban estates, the clientele changed as the area changed. It began to get a name as a ‘tough’ house.
Admiral Taverns were to take the Rocket from Banks Brewery.
In September 2006, the granddaughter of the landlady of the Rocket – a baby named Caydee-Lee – was mauled to death when the pub’s two Rottweilers dragged the child from the living quarters on to the roof (where the dogs usually patrolled). The dogs were obviously destroyed immediately. The traumatised neighbours were left but told of their fear of the dogs’ aggression as people passed by.
The Rocket struggled to get over the horrific incident. Eventually, it tried a new face and was called the Coach & Horses circa 2008.
The pub was never to regain any semblance of its former self. The little girl’s death hung over it, whatever the name. Circa 2010, the Coach & Horses closed eventually to be sold for redevelopment as flats – many locals were glad to see the back of it.
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