Facts and figures about one of the Black Country’s oldest pubs and its legendary landlord have been compiled and presented to new owners.
A history of the Albion pub in Stone Street, Dudley, which dates back to at least 1841, has been put together by Don Kirby from Dudley. It also features photographs and details about local character ‘jumping Joe Darby’ from Netherton who could leap across a canal from a standing position. He ran the boozer for half a century.
As a result, Joe was the pub’s longest serving licensee.
The information has been handed over to husband and wife Martyn and Jo Williams who have bought the empty pub and transformed it into a trendy cafe which opened yesterday.Mrs Williams said: “It is a fascinating history of the Albion pub and I will be framing some of the photographs, such as one showing the front of the building as it looked on 1958, to display in the cafe.
“Other information customers will be able to read about includes details about Joe Darby and past licensees and about Stone Street in general, which was once a cattle market.”
The watering hole has stood empty for a number of years and has suffered vandal attacks.
But now Mr and Mrs Williams have expanded their current cafe and bought the pub which they have turned into Caffe Grande serving everything from coffee to a glass of wine.
The couple previously said they were keen to preserve as much of the original locally listed building as possible.
Mrs Williams added: “The place has been gutted and although a lot of the brickwork was beyond saving there was some worth keeping.
“Some of the handmade bricks have fingerprints embedded in them and these have been used in the bar.
“We have also been able to save some of the beams. I think people will be pleased that we have tried to keep the history as it gives the place character.”
The couple who own Blade Hair and Beauty in Stone Street previously ran Le Cafe next door to the salon.
By Heather Loat
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