William Shakespeare

12 (75) Powis Street

Woolwich

Above photo circa 1980. The truck appears to have a wheel in the cellar hatch.

The original building can be traced back to 1807 and was built by the Powis Brothers, local brewers who also developed much of the surrounding estate. The pub was likely named due to the fact it was situated next to the Royal Theatre, which operated till 1820.

The current building dates from1890-91 when architect H. H. Church rebuilt it.

During the 1950s and 60s the premises was hosts to the Hot Club of London, a jazz venue hosted by jazz pioneer George Webb, and has also been frequented by Fleetwood Mac.

The pub unfortunately closed it doors in January 1990 and the ground floor converted for retail use. First operating as a Sega Zone arcade and later Quicksilver amusement arcade, the upper floors being residential flats.

In 2021, development plans by British Land proposed demolishing 12A Powis Street (a modern addition) whilst retaining the main historic structure at number 12.

LICENSEE LIST

SCOTT John 1823+

LEE Thomas 1832-May/66 dec'd (age 62 in 1851)

LEE Margaret Mrs May/1866-67+

PADGEN Albert James 1874+

SMITH Thomas 1882+

CAMPBELL George H 1891+ (age 38 in 1891)

YOUNG William James 1891-96+

WORDSWORTH Alfred 1901+

GIBSON Robert W 1901+ (listed as manager age 39 in 1901)

WORDSWORTH Alfred 1904+

NORFOLK Percy 1905+

PEARSON Charles 1908-11+

PEARSON L J Mrs 1919+

GERRARD Sidney W 1921+

DARNELL Emily Darnell Mrs & WEBB Fras J 1934+

WIDDICOMBE Henry Dever & BRAKE Thomas R 1938-44+

POLLOCK G Mr 1988-90+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/Shakespeare.shtml

From the Pigot's Directory 1823

From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

Census