CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

TYNE AND WEAR - South Shields, Stag's Head

National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors Part Two

45-47 Fowler Street, South Shields, NE33 1NS

Tel: 0191 427 2911

Draught Beer & Cider: Real Ale

Public Transport: Metro: South Shields; Ferry: South Shields

Listed Status: Grade II

View this pub on a local map

Built in 1897 on a narrow, shallow site which accounts for what is a highly unusual feature - two bars, one above the other and both have their original counters and bar-backs. Many pubs have upstairs public rooms but with very few exceptions (e.g Bartons Arms, Birmingham) these have been brought into service after the building of the pub and/or do no have historic serveries. The entrance lobby on left-hand side has floor to ceiling tiling and the inner door has a stained and leaded panel and door protector. The small public bar has an unusual feature of a wide, four-centered arch which spans the downstairs servery. Within it is the original bar back and bar counter, also the room has a vast, Victorian tiled and wood surround fireplace with a stags head at the top, a Ty Paterson’s & Co’s Pale Ales and Stout (Edinburgh) mirror and one ‘The Stag’s Head’ etched window. The pub was extended backwards in the 1970s into the yard and the outside toilets were removed. This created a larger floor area in the lower bar which is clearly visible.

There is a door on the right hand side of the building which, as indicated in the lamp above it, leads to the lounge bar, a small room up the staircase on the first floor. This entrance from the street was closed off in the 1970s and access is now from a new staircase created as part of the installation of the inside toilets. The small upstairs lounge bar retains its Victorian bar back and bar counter, a fireplace with substantial wood surround featuring a number of columns, also fixed seating and a frieze. However, in the 1970s the bar fittings were moved. Originally they were situated in the space between the old staircase and the front windows on the right hand side of the room. Now they are situated in the extension at the rear of the room and on a raised level. Whilst the bar back fits perfectly and therefore does not appear to have been subject to change, it is possible that the bar counter may have been shortened to fit?. Upstairs room open Fri. & Sat. evenings or at other times by arrangement. Statutorily listed in 2010 following a successful application by CAMRA.