Pub in Brierley Hill with ever changing name goes back to original moniker from 1845

The pub was originally The Reindeer Inn from 1845 and was owned by the former Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries for many years from 1909.

It became The Laurel – named for comedy legend Stan Laurel who appeared on the pub sign – when it reopened after a period of closure in 1996.

The pub again became The Reindeer in 2016, but it later changed to the Laurel Tree in 2021 and has also been called The Reindeer Tree, Blackcountryman and the Bottle and Glass at different times over the years.

It went back to The Laurel Tree before closing again and was on the market for £430,000 last year when a planning application to turn the ground floor into flats was refused.

Now the pub, which also features a beer garden, is under new ownership with Dave Mundon, a relative of the late Black Country comedian Tommy, coming in as manager in its new incarnation as a sports bar and grill.

The pub returned under its original name in time for Christmas on December 5 following a £60,000 investment in a refit.

"The pub has always been known locally as The Reindeer although it has gone through various hands over the years and has had several name changes, so it is nice to get back to what it originally was," explained Dave.

He has big plans to develop the community pub, with a Caribbean Kitchen weekend festival in the pipeline along with a beer festival when the large walled beer garden at the rear is restored.

"We are reviving our community offer with a darts team already formed and a pool team also coming back," he added.

The back room at the pub is mainly used for food and is able to seat 50 with new booths now created.

The old pool room at the rear has been converted to a kitchen offering Indian food to eat in or take away with deliveries also being offered.

All draught beer in the pub is priced at £3.50 with beers from Wye Valley Brewery, Green Duck, Enville Ales and Birmingham Brewing Company among those regularly featured.