The Stroud News & Journal’ reported on 12th February 1904: Stroud Police Licensing Session. James Boulton Biggs, Superintendant: “I have called the attention of the Stroud Brewery Company to the dilapidated condition of the Horse and Groom and the Globe beerhouses, situate at the Lower Leazes, Stroud, which I visited on 15th Jan. 1904. These houses adjoin each other and it would be a considerable advantage if certain structural alterations were made to them. It would be a still greater improvement from every point of view if these very small beerhouses, which are owned by the same firm, could be turned into one good house.”
In the licensing sessions of the same year Stroud Brewery offered to surrender the ante 1869 beerhouse licenses of the Globe Inn and the Horse & Groom on the condition that the bench would grant a full license to a new house built on the same spot.’
The Citizen, Monday 7th March 1988 – Residents bid to stop pub disco: Angry Stroud residents are petitioning local planner in a last minute bid to stop a proposed new pub / disco bar. People living around The Leazes, off Parliament Street, are up in arms about plans to change the use of the lower ground floor at the Horse & Groom Inn. More than 40 close neighbours signed the petition, opposing the disco, in only a few days.
The document has gone to district councillor, John Marjoram (Green, Trinity) who said he will present it at tomorrow’s Stroud District Council Planning executive sub-committee meeting. “It is very unfair to impose this on such a quiet, close-knit community,” said Coun. Marjoram, the sub-committee’s vice chairman.
The Leazes’ residents have complained of disturbance from noise, particularly as customers leave the pub and are convinced a disco bar would compound their problems.
At least one evening a week the pub plans to open the cellar disco without alcohol for the 14-18 age group. A supporter of the plans residing in Parliament Street said, “The licensees are trying to give a service to entertain and give them somewhere to go in the evening. People are quick to condemn the younger generation but they won’t do anything to help them get off the streets.”
Landlady Mrs Susan Breen said today: “I am very upset no one from the petition opposing us came to see us. I am quite approachable and would have gladly discussed and explained our proposals. The disco bar is located in the rear cellar of the property and will be open during normal hours except for special functions. As well as the non-alcohol teenagers evening Mrs Breen and her husband Seamus plan a singles mid-week night and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays entertainment for the over 20’s.
The Citizen, Tuesday 4th April 1988 – Probe on way after bar opens: Stroud District Council is to investigate a pub cellar bar which was open at the weekend. A bid to hold discos in the cellar at the Horse & Groom at The Leazes off Parliament Street was turned down by Stroud Council last month.
But after a newspaper ad hat offered “disco music all night” with resident DJ’s and leaflet advertising the bar was in action on Saturday evening. Landlady Mrs Susan Breen said: “I don’t need planning permission to open a bar. It was a bar not a disco. There was plenty of parking and customers left quietly just after 11pm.
Mr Dennis Collins, Stroud Council’s Chief Executive, said yesterday the council would send an enforcement officer to the pub to see precisely what had happened. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, normal enforcement procedure could follow.
The 1996 version of ‘Real Ale in Gloucestershire’ described the pub as a ‘local overlooking valley. Enthusiastic landlord. Live music on alternate Fridays. Look out for extended choice of real beers.’ The beers listed in the guide were Draught Bass, Federation Best Bitter and Smiles Bristol Stout.
The ‘new’ Horse & Groom called last orders for the final time in 1998.
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Stroud Brewery
Rateable value in 1891: £12.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Beerhouse
Owner in 1903: Stroud Brewery
Rateable value in 1903: £16.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Beerhouse
Closing time in 1903: 11pm
Landlords at the Horse & Groom include:
1891,1903 George Hogg
1919 William Scanlan
1927 Thomas Bradshaw
1939 Alfred Albert Mace
1960-1969 Phil & Eileen Allan (moved to the Crown Inn, Paganhill)
1985 Arthur Davies
1988 Susan Breen
