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"The outside of the 1935
pub is pretentious to the point of being extreme, with deep-sloping
multi-gabled roofs and high chimneys in a muddled blend of Art Deco
utilitarian and hollow Gothic architecture. At the back, an acre of land
stretches south incorporating a full-size bowling green"
Kings Arms - Meir
Weston Road - on corner of
Uttoxeter Road (A50)
1935 plaque - the year of completion
JJ&S plaque
photos taken August 2000
"It
used to be a hotel and all the bedroom upstairs are still there. There's
a huge banqueting suite, and the fireplaces are amazing. There's also a
bowling green and pavilion at the back."
In 2007 Stoke-on-Trent Primary
Care Trust bought the pub site from brewery Admiral Taverns. They want
to build a state-of-the-art health centre with a wide range of
facilities under one roof, serving about 22,000 people.
After the pub was sold
and closed an attempt to have the building listed failed in May 2008
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A Man
born at a pub now threatened with demolition has recalled a
childhood of presidential visits, wartime dances and concerts. David
Johnson, aged 80, who was born at the Kings Arms, Meir, was
devastated to learn of plans to bulldoze the landmark pub and
replace it with a state-of-the-art health centre.
Now Mr Johnson has added his voice to a growing number of
campaigners protesting against the closure of a pub they say is
vital to their community.
Mr Johnson's dad, Robert, was landlord of the pub from the late
1920s until 1953.
As a youngster Mr Johnson, saw and
heard tales of politicians, including former American president John
F Kennedy, propping up the bar.
And he says the pub served as a place for residents and airmen using
the nearby aerodrome to forget about the horrors of war.
Mr Johnson, a professional writer living in South Wales, said: "My
dad was a tremendous character, very well known, and he built the
pub up to become a focal point for the community. A lot of political
leaders have passed through the pub.
"I
didn't believe her when my mum told me John F Kennedy was there,
but I later read about him visiting the area at that time and it
fitted in. "During the war people didn't have much to spend their
money on except booze, and there was some hard drinking then.
"They didn't know how much longer they were going to be on the
planet, so it was a riotous time. "My dad built a dance hut
outside on ground where there used to be cattle auctions, and we
had American officers from Meir aerodrome there dancing with local
women.
"We had a lot of pilots drinking there and not many of them
survived the war.
"My dad was a fine pianist, and lots of brilliant local musicians
would gather to give concerts at the pub. "He started up a lot of
the clubs that are going now, and was also responsible for getting
the bowling green back into condition.
"I love the bones of that pub, and was shocked when I heard it was
going to be closed down.
"It's a very fine building and has a lot of history and memories."
The Sentinel
Newspaper. 25 March 2008 |
15 March 2008
(Sentinel Newspaper - letters)
"Madam, - I read with sadness of the possible forthcoming fate of the
King's Arms, in Meir. My father was the master builder, contracted by
Joules Brewery to build The King's Arms, The Saracen's Head, The
Weston Coyney Arms and the Normacot Hotel, all of which are of the
same architecture.
I was two-years-old when the King's Arms was built and we lived in
Uttoxeter Road, Normacot, at that time.
I have a brother eight years older than me, who still lives in the
Potteries.
My mother used to
tell me of the extensive oak panelling inside. I intend to visit there
soon to see it while still possible."
ANN INGLES
Shenstone
Lichfield
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