The Blenheim Inn is not thought to have any connection with the original Blenheim Arms which stood opposite.
It had a previous incarnation as a called ‘Bar 88’ and before that the premises was standing empty for many years after a bakery/cake shop ceased trading there.
The building once was used as a carpet shop owned by Tom Goddard – the famous Gloucestershire cricketer.
The Citizen. Martin Kirby’s Column. Monday, December 15th, 1997 – Reopen the cider drinkers’ haven – I must thank the County Arms Luncheon Club for inviting me to its recent annual Christmas dinner. What on earth is the County Arms Luncheon Club? I hear you ask. It goes back to those glorious days when the County Arms pub in Millbrook Street was a legend among cider drinkers, and even the even more legendary landlord, ‘Cocker’ Jones was in command. Some thirsty RAF personnel wandered into the ‘County’ one December lunchtime, liked what they saw, and 26 years on, they still meet at the Blenheim Inn in Barton Street, run by Cocker’s son Peter. The club’s president, Alan Stevens, is campaigning to have the County Arms reopened. I can’t think of a better idea.
The Blenheim Inn has closed.
Landlords:
1992, 2005 Peter and Marion Jones (Peter passed away in 2006)
