The Definitive Guide to the History of
Pubs and Beerhouses in Coventry

Drinking in an Old English Town

Alma Tavern, 44-45 Stoney Stanton Road

Alternative Addresses:	Howard Street
These premises have been known by different names during their history:	FROM	TO	NAME
			Alma Vaults
			Alma Inn
	1855	1980	Alma Tavern
These premises first appear to get a mention in the Coventry Standard on 16th November 1855 which states, curiously, that the licence of the Alma Inn (late the Swanswell Tavern) is being transferred from William Royle to Joshua Fardon. The houses adjoining the pub were advertised for sale in June 1856, as Howard Street was still being built at that time, beginning in 1853. It was often throughout its existence referred to as the ALMA INN, and rarely but occasionally referred to as ALMA VAULTS, or even simply the ALMA. From the time Alan & Josie Frisby took over the pub in 1974 it was placed under notice of demolition for planned area improvements. The Alma Tavern was, however, still being used in March 1980 when someone was reported in September that year as being drunk and disorderly on the 29th March. In October 1980 the pub was described as derelict when plans for a new church, family centre and old people's flats on the site were unveiled. The Alma is a river in the Crimea (Ukraine). In 1854 it became the scene of the first battle won by the allies over the Russians. The name was widely used for pubs, streets and the daughters of soldiers who had fought there.
LICENSEES: 1856 - 1857 Joshua Farndon 1857 - 1862 Edward Halfhide 1862 - 1864 Edward Raby 1864 - 1865 Joseph Arch 1865 - 1867 John Parsons 1867 - 1871 Sanders Quincey 1871 - 1872 John Wigston 1872 - 1876 David Bonham 1876 - 1877 Mary Bonham 1877 - 1878 Thomas Whitehead 1878 - 1881 Joseph Priest 1882 - 1886 Hannah Mary Wyles 1890 - 1891 Alfred George Dennis 1891 - 1904 Arthur Statham 1904 - 1908 Amos Statham 1908 - 1913 William Collins 1913 - 1925 Albert Henry Ashley 1925 - 1939 George Putman 1939 - 1940 Ernest Augustus Steele 1952 George Alexander 1952 James Hubert Miller 1952 Arthur Steventon 1963 Selina Perry 1974 - 1980 Alan John Frisby (moved to Heath Hotel, Foleshill Road)
Street plan of 1939