Just how old is The Gate?

It hasn’t been the easiest question to answer and we may not have a definitive answer to it; but thanks to some terrific efforts by local historian Marion Baxter of Sutton Coldfield Reference Library we know that the pub dates back at least as far as 1855.

The Rate Books tell an interesting, if somewhat ambiguous, story.  From 1850 through to 1854, the plot is shown as being owned by John Roderick and occupied by Walter Willmore with the property being described simply as “house and land.”  The 1855 listing shows the same owner but this time, the description  reads “Gate Inn.”  19th century listings from 1860 onwards describe the property as “Public House and Cottage” and an increase in rateable value  from £13 4s 3d to £16 2s in 1860 suggests that either there was further building on the site during that period or at least, that the living accommodation was separated from the rest of the premises.

Curiously, though, the rateable value from 1850 to 1860 remains static inspite of the apparent change in usage of the building.

Ownership changed hands four times during the 1860’s and early 1870’s but significant changes seem top have occurred in 1876 when Edward Davenport purchased the property.  The famous Davenport’s brewery didn’t start brewing until 1896 so it’s rather interesting to see that the family’s connection with The Gate predates that by two whole decades.

Massive increases in the rateable value during 1876, when Edward Davenport bought the premises and again in 1885, when he brought in Joseph Davenport as tenant suggest significant alterations.

The building as locals of a certain age will remember it prior to the dreadful “Case is Altered” period, took shape in 1922.  The building was substantially extended, giving us the building of two halves that we have today.  Whilst the “Case is Altered” brigade made significant internal changes - raising the floor level; combining the lounge and bar into one room and losing the much loved alcove - the exterior of the building is largely unchanged from the 1922 rebuild.

Here is a letter requesting planning permission for the alterations (click for a larger version):

Why “The Gate?”

Aside from a few dark years of mismanagement when the establishment was operated as a third-rate wine-bar called “The Case is Altered” (referred to by local residents at the time as “The Gate is Broken” or by slightly less polite variations, thereupon),  The Gate has always been The Gate.  The proper name having being restored by the current landlord, Nigel Traylor in 2006.

But why “The Gate?“  The simple answer is that we’re not entirely sure.  It’s certainly possible that it was named after Town Gate, the entrance to Sutton Park that was opened in 1827.  That said, the pub is a ten minute walk from the park gate and whilst it remains the most likely suggestion, we can’t help wonder if there might be other possibilities.

The map below, showing Sutton in 1811, some years prior to the opening of the pub, has something marked on Mill Street as “Gate.”  It’s hard to imagine what it might have been a gate to

As with any other aspect of the history of the pub, we’d be delighted to hear from anyone who either knows something that we don’t or can correct anything that we’ve got wrong.

Many thanks go to Marion Baxter and all at Sutton Coldfield Reference Library for their contributions.