The Plough is situated in Barton Street close to the cross. The property extends as far as Swilgate Road to the rear where there was once stabling for the hotel. The Plough was purchased for £3,000 in 1897 by Showells Brewery. In the 1919 Kellys directory it is listed as the Plough Hotel. The building is 17th century. It is recorded that from 1644 to 1646 the Cordwainer’s Society held annual feasts at the Plough.
During the Second World War there was a public air raid shelter at the Plough Inn that could accommodate seventy persons.
It traded as the Faust and Firkin in the late 1990’s, part of the Firkin Brewery chain (but there was no brewery at the pub). The Plough went through yet another transformation to appease its trendy young clientele and was called Hoolahan’s, but then reverted back to the Old Plough.
After a prolonged period of closure it was announced in the Spring of 2022 that the pub to reopen again under the sign of the New Plough.
Map Reference: SO 894327
This page will be updated and refreshed with additional information.
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: James Turner (free from brewery tie)
Rateable value in 1891: £26.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1897,1903: Showell & Co., Oldbury, Staffordshire
Rateable value in 1903: £112.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 11pm
Owner in 2005: Punch Taverns
Phone: 01684 284359
Landlords at the Plough / Faust & Firkin, etc include:
1774-1779 Hannah Hyatt
1779-1783 Elizabeth Hyatt
1783-1807 Thomas Morton
1807-1808 Mary Hyatt
1808-1809 William Churchman
1809-1820 Thomas Churchman
1820,1830 Kenmell Wheeler (Kinmill Wheeler in 1830 directory)
1832 Mrs Wheeler (widow)
1837 Benjamin Sylvester
1837,1868 Thomas Freeman
1871-1882 William Westfield
1882-1897 James Turner
1897 Frederick William Bridle
1897-1898 Hugh C. Metcalfe
1898-1901 W. Fouracre
1901-1902 Rose Fouracre (widow)
1902 Robert William Fourance
1902 E.J. Spires
1902-1904 William George Foster
1904-1905 Arthur William Allard (died 1905)
1905 George Herbert Shephard
1906-1922 Philip Pembridge
1922-1923 Harry Stevens
1923-1925 Mary Alice Fletcher
1925-1933 Mrs Helena Jepson
1933-1936 William Rooker
1936-1937 Henry Griffiths
1937 Arthur Walker
1937-1938 Joseph Norman
1938-1942 Henry Jeal
1942-1944 Richard Comins
1944-1946 Alan Clark
1946-1947 Walter Gardner
1947-1952 John Preston
1952-1963 Horace Dunn
1963-1968 W. Gregory
1968 Cyril Woodcock
1998 Faust & Firkin
2002 (Dec), 2003 Dominic Jacombs (Hoolahans)
2005 Dawn Flanagan (Old Plough)
