Photo above: Circa 1980s.
Circa 1870, saw the Friar Tuck built with Edward McAdam passing to Alfred Lewis Jones in October 1871. Jones in turn to Richard Edward Preston, a boot maker, July 1873.
Preston was classed as a beerhouse keeper, grocer and provision dealer, which indicates the type of beerhouse the Friar Tuck was during its infancy. Within ten years Richard Preston was declared bankrupt to the tune of over £600.
Ambrose Goodrich would take over in 1883, continuing as a grocer and beer house keeper. Ambrose, who had at least eight children, was here until after 1890. Charles William Allen would complete over twenty years at the Friar Tuck. William Wild would follow from circa 1920s-40s. Wild classed himself as a ‘brewer’. Walter Weston would keep it in the early 1950’s followed by Eric Ball, Albert Burdett from c1957.
Friar Tucks unique centre stove heater, no chimney, smoke extracted from under floor pipes. The Loughborough House in Church Gate had one up to the 1970s but that had a chimney.
Photo credit above: Steve England (LM), right Chris Pyrah.
At 5am on Saturday morning in March 2007, police were called to the Friar Tuck now also known as Don Gorgans Bar, where they found two men had been shot and two others stabbed. All were taken to hospital for treatment.
A month later, a review of the licence was held where objections from the police and neighbours were upheld. Police confirmed that they had visited the premises on previous occasions accompanied by licence officials who said on one occasion they had chosen not to enter as they felt they would be at risk.
The licensing authorities heard of several conditions not being adhered to, including selling alcohol without a licence and open at unlawful hours. The license was thus revoked and the pub closed.
In a Sorry State
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