53 Northgate Street in 1927 directory and in 1957 reference. The Tabard was on the corner of Hare Lane. The Kings Arms and the Tabard were two separate pubs before they amalgamated into one.
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The Citizen: October 6th, 1998 – 50 Years Ago: (October 1948): Mr Malcolm Lyon, manager of the Tabard Hotel in Gloucester for the last 11 years is leaving to become tenant at the Union Hotel, Northleach.
The Citizen. Advertisement Feature. Saturday, May 18th, 1985 – New-look Chaucers at the Tabard. – All eyes in Gloucester have been focused on Northgate Street for the past few months, and in particular the buzz of activity at the Tabard. All is revealed, now that Whitbread Severn Inns, a subsidiary of the managed house division of Whitbread & Co. PLC, has officially unveiled the new-look Chaucers at the Tabard. The company has given the premises a £200,000 face-lift, to provide bright surroundings, good food and a lively atmosphere, which would no doubt have vastly pleased the convivial 14th-century poet. With its doors officially open, it is now possible, by stepping inside, to end the curiosity of the past few months and satisfy your thirsts – or hunger – at the same time.
Severn Inns’ scheme to give the Tabard a new look, and with it a new image, began earlier this year when the back bar closed and the builders moved in. It re-opened to huge praise. What was a dingy back bar has been replaced with a dark green and red décor, new pictures, mountains of plants, mirrors and subtle lighting in the eating area where comfortable sofas tempt you to linger. Now called the Tabard games lounge, it has a well-lit and neatly arranged games area and pool tables to complete the facilities. Here you can meet your friends for a pint and a game of darts or pool, enjoy a quiet drink from a wide choice of spirits and a choice of Whitbread beers. A ‘guest’ beer will be introduced each month. This month it is Wethereds, followed by Fremlins.
The food at the Tabard is simple, wholesome fare, healthy-sized servings, delicious fresh salads with popular favourites fish & chips, chicken, scampi, ploughmans and sweets.
In the summer months the walled courtyard with its hanging baskets and colourful flowers, makes an ideal meeting place. Around tables with umbrellas and with a wonderful view of Gloucester Cathedral over the wall, customers can enjoy all the first-class facilities of the Tabard while basking in the noonday sun or enjoying a warm summer’s evening.
When work was completed in the Tabard, and the doors opened for business, the builders moved to the front bar and set to work. Dramatic changes to the bar have created Chaucers – the meeting, eating and drinking place which is the talk of Gloucester with its split level interior, marbled columns, big windows, tall palms and comfortable Chesterfields. The atmosphere is light and airy, with a French flavour. Pictures from the 1920’s and American prints hang on the wall, while massive marble-topped tables and Chinese Chippendale seating complete the picture. This café bar is open all day. Early birds can enjoy delicious teas and coffee with a full English or Continental breakfast and later, mid-morning snacks and pastries. For noon and evening dining there is a truly cosmopolitan bill of fare, ranging from Chinese stir-fried pork to the hot taste of Mexico and chilli con carne and the delicious taste of traditional Tandoori cooking from India.
Unlike the Tabard, which is open during normal licensing hours, Chaucers is open from 8.30 am to 11.00 pm on Mondays to Saturdays, and from 12 noon to 2 pm and 7 pm to 10.30 pm on Sundays. Alcohol is only served within the existing licensing hours.
Licensee Bernard Hunt and his wife Brenda, who have been with the company for 20 years, are to stay at the helm of the Tabard, where they have been since 1982.
Landlords:
1927 A.F. Morris
1936 J. Pinn
1939 W. Murray Lyon
1957 Rt. A. Hughes
1982 Bernard and Brenda Hunt
