Victoria Inn / Queen Victoria, 5 Gloucester Street, Stroud

The Queen Victoria was put on the market for £700,000 by specialist estate agents Guy Simmonds Business in June 2022. The pub was described as having a spacious open-plan public bar, with large bar, servery, pool table, darts throw, flagstone floors, feature fireplace, beams and stage area.

The sign above the door advertises Ind Coope Ales

Stroud Journal, July 3 1874 – “Spoot” Hogg Again:

Thomas Hogg was charged with having assaulted Daniel Vines, on the 20th of June at the Victoria Inn, Gloucester Street, Stroud.

Mr Jackson defended. Daniel Vines deposed: I went into Mr Pearce’s, the public house in Gloucester Street, on Saturday evening, and had a pint of beer. I went into the back yard, and as soon as I went out Thomas Hogg came into the back yard. He said “What has’t thee being a-telling about me?” I said “Nothing at all.” He said “You are a liar; you have been a-telling some of ‘em as I have been giving you 5s.” Defendant said it was on this election job. I said I never did. He again said “You are a liar,” and I said I was not, and he said “It was a lie” and I said the name; and he told me he’s hit my head off. I told him he was a liar, and he knocked me down, and when I got up he knocked me down again. He also said “Some day, you old devil, I’ll kill you.” I tried to get a warrant the same day, but failed, and I then summoned him.

Cross-examined by Mr Jackson: I did not see Hogg before I went outside. I did not see anyone; I could see. I was as sober as a judge. I went to the police station, and they told me if they went there they would lock me up. My wife was in the kitchen, and when I was knocked down she came out. I am subpoenaed for the petition trial, and there is something in the 5s.

The Chairman: I thought you were a bit of a bruiser (Laughter)

Complainant: So I was, but I am too old now.

Cross-Examination continued: I have been here two or three times myself.

Mrs Vines, wife of complainant, was called, but declined coming forward.

For the defence, Mr Jackson called Leonard Bird, who said: I am a pensioner living at Whiteshill. I was at the Victoria Inn, in Gloucester Street, about five o’clock on Saturday evening. I was out in the backyard when Hogg and Vines came out, and Vines called Hogg a liar. I looked round and saw Vines and Hogg in a fighting attitude. I did not wait to see the result.

Frederick Smith, sworn, said: I live in Silver Street. I was at the Victoria Inn, in Gloucester Street, and saw Hogg and Vines there, and heard the conversation between them. They were both as if they were going to fight; Vines put himself in a fighting attitude. Complainant had had some beer. I am sure complainant said “You had better commence”.

Cross-examined by Vines: I was out in the yard when you came out.

Bird was re-called, and said he could not say whether complainant was drunk or not.

Supt Hanbidge was called and stated that about half past five on Saturday he was at the police station., when Vines came to him with blood on his face, as if he had received a blow. Complainant requested him to take Hogg into custody. He told him to come on Monday morning and take out a summons, as he should not take Hogg into custody. Complainant then swore, and said the policeman were as bad as Hogg, and he continued to use bad language until witness threatened to take him into custody. The man was decidedly the worse for drink, and witness thought that if his language was as bad to Hogg he deserved a smack in the face.

The Chairman: This case is dismissed.

Above information and research Dr Martyn Beaufort.

Victoria Inn 1966. Courtesy Pam Thom / Tim Mars

The Citizen, Wednesday 9th June 1982 – A ‘Flipping Record’: Exhausted fund raisers in Stroud have set what can only be described as a flipping record after manning a pinball machine in a local pub continuously for 50 hours. The six-strong team may have fallen a little short of the world record – 260 hours – but their efforts raised over £100 towards funds for the local single homeless organisation, Roofem. The event took place at The Victoria, Gloucester Street, Stroud.

Above: Chris Heaven took this photo of the Victoria Inn pub sign in 1986.

The Citizen: Friday December 2^nd, 1983 – Forging into the video age: The latest electronic wizardry has been built into an old blacksmiths forge at Stroud which re-opened last night as a night spot after a massive face lift. Thousands of pounds have been spent on converting the old metal works at the Victoria pub in Gloucester Street, owned by the Dangerfield family for more than 100 years. The forge has been re-equipped with high technology video and hi-fi systems complete with giant screen and overhead projector. Licensee Mr Peter Gamble said, “Our aim is to provide the best of modern entertainment side by side with a traditional pub atmosphere.” The forge has been transformed with oak beams and a unique overhead gallery where customers can watch themselves and visiting musicians, on the massive video screen.

July 1987 – The angry licensee at the centre of last night’s Stroud riot has closed his pub today. Mr Rowan Cooke of The Victoria said he didn’t want a copycat outburst of the trouble during which 70 police confronted a mob of 150 at closing time.

The Citizen, 27th August 1997 – Town pub target of drugs raid (by Toby Barker): The centre of Stroud ground to a halt last Thursday as more than 40 drugs squad officers, specialist search teams and dog handlers carried out a raid on a town centre pub. A search warrant was executed on the Queen Victoria pub in Gloucester Street and officers from across the county were involved in the operation. At about 12.45 pm police stormed the pub and arrested nine people, five men ad four women, including one female juvenile. The arrests were made in connection with alleged drugs offences and handling of stolen goods.

The pub was closed for business as police spent the rest of the day searching the property with two trained sniffer dogs. The arrests were part of Operation Springclean, an on-going initiative in the Stroud police division aimed at targeting suspected drug dealers.

Stroud News, 21st September 2000 – Close shave: Stroud pub landlord Rob Thorn and five of his Queen Vic regulars are to have their heads shaved to aid the NSPCC during a family run day on October 1st.

The Citizen, 5th March 2001 – Saucy postal poser: A saucy postcard mystery has deepened in Stroud with a charity challenge issued in the latest message sent to a local pub. Three unsigned picture postcards, all with home photos of a scantily clad voluptuous woman stapled to them, have already arrived at the Queen Victoria Inn this year. But now a fourth card, again sent in an envelope, has turned up with the challenge that if the model is to declare her identity “it will cost for charity.”

Pub landlady Pam Thom said she believed the sender knew about the Queen Vic’s regular charity and fund raising efforts. “We are always doing events for good causes down here and whoever is behind these postcards obviously knows that,” said Mrs Thom. The latest saucy card had the attached following note: “For me to reveal all, it will cost a lot for charity.”

Stroud News & Journal, Wednesday March 31st 2004. Smoking in Pubs. Comments:

“A pint and a fag go hand in hand,” said Rob Thom, landlord of the Queen Victoria. “I think the do- gooders have gone too far on this one. At the end of the day it’s up to people to decide for themselves. We’re all adults. If you don’t like going to a pub where people smoke, don’t.”

Stroud News & Journal, February 2008: Advertisement – Rob and Pam Thorn have been running the Queen Victoria, Stroud, for more than ten years now. In that time they, and their team, have turned a once closed down pub with a poor reputation into one of the hottest and most popular venues in town.

Live music in the main bar, with acts ranging from acoustic blues and folk soloists through to full on rock and pop bands, is a key factor to the continued success.

The refurbishment of the old ‘Korky’s Bar’ a run down former meeting room, into the Little Vic has been a major success, playing host to in-house DJ’s Friday and Saturday nights and serving over forty chilled, flavoured vodkas, it has that intimate ‘club’ feel with the personal touch.

Not forgetting sport, with seven TV screens, including a 9ft x 6ft projector, in The Little Vic and all weather out door unit, in the approved and heated smoking shelter.

Licensing Details:

Rateable value in 1891: £28.10s.0d.

Type of licence in 1891: Beerhouse

Owner in 1903: Nailsworth Brewery

Rateable value in 1903: £22.0s.0d.

Type of licence in 1903: Beerhouse

Closing time in 1903: 11pm

Landlords at the Queen Victoria include:

1891,1903 Thomas Dangerfield

1939 John H. Dangerfield

1987 Rowan Cooke

1985 Peter and Val Gamble

1997 David Blackwell and Alison Powell

1998, 2001 Rob Thom and Pam Brown

2002, 2022 Pam Thom

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