The former King pub on Somerton Road, Lliswerry, Newport is in the process of being demolished to make way for flats. Once known as the King of Prussia, it became the King of Russia in 1916 but was just the King by 1923, although the pub sign still had "Frederick William III 1797-1840" on it until recently. The King was owned by local brewers Phillips, who sold out to Courage but in more recent times it became a freehouse, run by Newport AFC. The pub has been closed and derelict for a number of years, as with the nearby Black Horse which is awaiting demolition to be turned into a supermarket. Shame about the King, it was a nice piece of nineteenth century architecture with its tilled frontage. Another Newport pub lost, that's 42 local pubs closed since New Labour came to power in 1997.
Postscript: I'm reliably informed that the pub is not going to be demolished but converted into flats. The original planning permission was for demolition but that has now changed. Not for historical reasons but due to flood concerns. Always happy to put the record straight.
Glad its not going to be demolished. I was always forn do this pub, remember as a kid 80's/90's they had a brilliant beer garden with a tuck shop and animals! Always hoped a big chain would buy it and do it up.
ReplyDeleteUpdate - pub still standing, roof open to the elements, scaffolding still up.
ReplyDeletepub demolished today apparently
ReplyDeletepub demolished today apaprently
ReplyDeleteWent past there Friday and saw the rear of the building had gone so realised the rest would not be soon to go
ReplyDeletesad to see this pub demolished, i lived in this pub as a child! had so many good memories! :(
ReplyDelete