City centre pub gets a name change

A pub in the heart of The Lanes is set to get a new name and a facelift.

The Font and Firkin, in Union Street, was originally named by the Firkin Brewery which ran a chain of pubs across the country.

After changing hands several times, the chain was sold to Punch and, in 2001, the brand was discontinued, with the Font and Firkin one of just a handful to keep the name.

Now its owner, Mitchells and Butlers, plans to rebrand it as part of its O’Neill’s chain of Irish pubs.

A planning application has been submitted by Michells and Butlers to make changes to the former chapel.

Because it is a grade II listed building, permission is needed to make changes to the interior layout.

The plans include removing the existing circular booths, installing a new karaoke and DJ booth, putting in new circular booths and banquette fixed seating and fitting new lighting.

The flooring will be repaired or replaced, with new areas of brick parquet, timber and vinyl flooring put in.

The company wants to put up two new barrel-shaped signs outside, bearing the O’Neill’s logo, and to decorate the entrance doors with Guinness murals.

The building dates from 1688 when it was a Nonconformist chapel. It was rebuilt and enlarged in the early 19th century by Amon Wilds and Charles Busby.

It was then used as a Presbyterian meeting house which is where Meeting House Lane gets its name.

It closed as a place of worship in 1988 and was converted into a pub.