These were my observations in 2011: -
Back in 1998, this was a pub I'd driven past on many occasions (to and from work) but had never ventured inside.
Then in 2000, we made an unscheduled detour through the less salubrious areas of Birmingham on our narrowboat. This photo was taken at about 9 pm on Thursday 1st June 2000 (same day as the 2nd photo of the Dog & Doublet - Pub #002 in this series). Earlier in the trip, we'd visited the centre of Coventry on my recommendation that we had enough time to do that and get back to our moorings by Friday evening - I'd miscalculated slightly! We'd moored at Bordesley Junction and were concerned that it wasn't the most secure of moorings. This was after finding that our first choice was actually private property and we couldn't access the road! Fortunately, the boat was safe and we had a quick pint here before venturing into Birmingham to find food...and more drink! As I recall it was a fairly basic Marston's pub and we got a friendly welcome - pretty much all you want from a pub!
Good news! It is still there and been redecorated at least twice since 2000!
Sadly, the news in 2018 is not so good. There was a fatal stabbing outside the Forge Tavern in July 2017 (link) and the pub's licence was revoked. It has been closed ever since with no imminent hope of reprieve. This is how it looked on Tuesday 23rd January 2018.
It's a shame it's gone Pete as very few pubs left to drink near the ground now...great picture record as ever
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