GrumpyBlue
Director⭐⭐
When I went in it was just Doom Bar - pretty dismalWhat do they do these days? IIRC used to be some sort of rather ordinary IPA.
When I went in it was just Doom Bar - pretty dismalWhat do they do these days? IIRC used to be some sort of rather ordinary IPA.
Doom Bar used to be, about 20 years ago, a fair pint. Mass marketing, manufacture and poor standards have seen it become average at best.When I went in it was just Doom Bar - pretty dismal
Precisely - which is why me and my drinking mates avoid it in our local (in Cornwall). I only tried it in the Spread for research purposes!Doom Bar used to be, about 20 years ago, a fair pint. Mass marketing, manufacture and poor standards have seen it become average at best.
A pity there's almost none of it left now, I find it so cramped in there.
Anyone know what year the second photo is from?The old original Blue Boar was a massive Public House in its day, in the photo below marked as dated 1905 but I believe it is actually 1923 (More later) as you can see the Gaiety Cinema next to the massive Blue Boar Dance Hall (Both Demolished 1998/99)
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In the aerial photo below, you can see clearly the old massive Dance Hall, and the old Cinema (White Building) next to it. You can see the old buildings on the East side of Victoria Avenue which were demolished to allow Victoria Avenue to be made into a Dual Carriageway.
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The cinema next to the Blue Boar must be in the running for the record for the most name changes in such a short time! It opened in December 1917 as the Star Cinema, run by Mr. J. Holloway. It was a very basic structure, but did have a small balcony. In 1920 it became the Priory Cinema (prop: H. W. Elston), in 1923 the Gaiety Cinema (Confirms date of first pic) (prop: B. S. C. Thomson), in 1925 the Ideal Cinema, in 1926 the Gibbs Cinema (prop: S. C. Gibbs) and in 1928 the Picture House. It closed in 1932, never having been converted to sound.
The building was used as a social club, for discos and, finally, a gymnasium, before laying derelict for many years. It was finally demolished in April 1999. Housing now occupies the site.
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Anyone know what year the second photo is from?
Certainly looks like the late 70's.Maybe a motoring enthusiast could enlighten us?
@The Pub Landlady here is some feedback for you MichelleTrue Blue
I know a few people who would visit the Blue Boar, But no decent Real Ale even if it is a free house.
I'm sure I remember going to discos in here in the late 70s/early 80s - back in the days where you could be out late at night in the area as a young woman, and feel safe!The building was used as a social club, for discos and, finally, a gymnasium, before laying derelict for many years. It was finally demolished in April 1999. Housing now occupies the site.
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Those houses on the left were long gone by then. Plus the cars would suggest your a decade out....Not a Capri or mk3 Cortina in siteCertainly looks like the late 70's.Maybe a motoring enthusiast could enlighten us?
The houses and shops were being boarded up and being demolished through 1968 and into 1969 as I started travelling through there for school by early 70's the dual carriageway was open.Those houses on the left were long gone by then. Plus the cars would suggest your a decade out....Not a Capri or mk3 Cortina in site
Yep the Southend Timeline website has a picture of the Garons on the corner being demolished in 1969.The houses and shops were being boarded up and being demolished through 1968 and into 1969 as I started travelling through there for school by early 70's the dual carriageway was open.
Thanks for that - had forgotten about the old bridge that you used to cross the roundabout!Yep the Southend Timeline website has a picture of the Garons on the corner being demolished in 1969.
Southend Timeline Victoria Avenue Gallery History of Southend-on-Sea.
www.southendtimeline.co.uk