Village Green, Birmingham

By Bateman & Bateman for M&B, opened in November 1924. A fine example of a large interwar suburban pub, as at 2004 still basically a drinkers' local, and un-themed with little evidence of food. Excellent prominent building in pale stone with Cotswold-Tudor features. Good original doors and four fine porch canopies, carved with oak leaves, acorns and drinking and brewing scenes. Inside, two large rooms with separate entrances. On the left, a fine large public bar, substantially unaltered; probably originally two rooms: front bar area with TV, and rear room with pool and darts; the servery has a good original counter and fine bar-back with carved wood, leaded glass and a clock in 'astrological' style; also good benches all round and panelled walls.

On the right, the lounge has been much modernised, and combined with a rear raised function room; few original features: some panelling, a big original stone Tudor-style fireplace, and a very large M&B mirror with the pub name and deer-leaping illustration. Unfortunately the former bowling green at the side is now abandoned, and the stone pavilions and shelters around it have been demolished. Five stone pillars around the car park have ‘M&B’ lettering carved into the sandstone on each side - 20 instances in all; however, these are badly weather-eroded.

Update July 2006: Converted to a buffet-restaurant 'MODERN CHINA' - the interior is totally gutted and replaced by a single large room in modern décor.