The Blue Bell and the Old Blue Bell

There are two public houses in Sutton known as the Blue Bell, and in practice the prefix "Old" tends to be given to the property which was located at the junction of Alfreton Road and Forest Street, on the corner of the Upper Green which later became Devonshire Square. However, the "Old" is sometimes missing from the entry so telling them apart in a Trade Directory is usually a case of looking at the street given, and perhaps matching the name of the occupant with a previous entry.

The Blue Bell

This property is located in the hamlet of Eastfield Side, on what later became known as Mansfield Road. 

Map showing Blue Bell in 1877

The pub was built sometime after 1800 and was open until recently. In 1876 the occupant William Hubbard was recorded as a "Beer Retailer and Brewer". 

The building is currently boarded up. Its fate is unknown.

Known occupants are:

The Old Blue Bell

Found at the junction of Alfreton Road (aka Lammas Road) and Forest Street, on the corner of the old Upper Green, which is now called Devonshire Square. It is also sometimes recorded as being located on Church Street, but this is not strictly true as Church Street ended on the other corner of the Upper Green. The property was built around 1730.

An Inquest was held here in 1817 for the Murder of Elizabeth Shephard by Charles Rotherham. It was also the meeting place in 1846 of the Bright Eyed Club where, on Saturday evenings the vicar (Rev W Goodacre) would read the news from the weekly newspaper, mainly for those who were unable to read themselves.

In 1876, not only did William Dove run the Old Blue Bell, but he was also described as a "Hosiery Manufacturer".

In May 1880, the pub was sold at auction by Mrs Dove. It was described as a "Full-licenced copyhold public house", and was aquired by Mansfield Brewery at a cost of £1,370. Mrs Dove continued as tenant of the Old Blue Bell.

The Old Blue Bell is still open, and is classed as a Grade II listed building of special architectural or historic interest.

Known occupants are:

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Page last updated 8th February 2005
Photographs taken by Heather Faulkes, 2000