Jordan Well

A walkalong video 17 April 2025. Have been researching Special Constable Billy Lambe who died at Jordan Well during the Blitz.

Much appreciated BrotherJoybert by someone who doesn't get to see much of the city centre.

Hello, There's The derelict Alpha restaurant, the black tin hut. Thank you, good old Facebook. You can see what a high life Pam & I enjoyed when we were dating. No expense spared. Inside, to hide the tin hut nature of the building, high potted plants & false sides were well placed. Gosh, sixty years ago. Our last visit was in 1968. Our first was in July 1965. The quality of the food compared very well with anywhere else. Pam & I went to a posh doo, 1967, at the Chesford Lion, but were very disappointed, as the Alpha was very superior in quality. As we were guests, we didn't make a fuss, but the host did. A very well-known Coventry green grocer. If it doesn't say Kellogs on the box, then it won't be Kellogs in the box. Shortly after the posh doo at the Chesford, it closed, only to reopen re-branded a few months later.

Hoping Damien doesn't mind me adding this image here which The Herbert recently posted on their FB page. Shows the corner of Jordan Well with Cox Street plus a rare sighting of The Acorn Pub, before it was all demolished for the construction of The Lanch. Cracking Messerschmitt as well!

We've shared this one before but it's interesting to compare over time. This is that same section to the right in 1937 - notice the same Snape shop although it looked a lot more handsome in '37!

That old clock gets around.

Technically taken from Gosford Street but some great Jordan Well detail here especially with the view along to Earl Street heading west -

More excellent stuff from the Coventry Smorgasbord FB page (and shared with their permission) - the upper story of a 16th century shop [ Alan McCutchion & Son - fishmonger & greengrocers ] collapsed sending rubble crashing through the roof of the newsagent's next door [ Osborne's ] and left a large hole in the upstairs stock room of Ghents the tailors. It was believed that the stock room wall was probably the first to collapse which brought down the adjoining roof. (May 1959)

© Historic England The exterior of 20 and 21 Jordan Well, premises of L H Fearis Ltd. and Tom Pollard, showing damage to the upper storey windows