Here is just a little info to let you get to know our pub better...
Here is a little potted history of our pub and the local area... if you have a spare minute or two and maybe a cup of tea (or is that a G&T), we think it's well worth a read.
The Armoury is quite a grand building that started life as an Armoury (strangely enough) in the late 18th century, although it originally wasn't situated on its present site at all. The whole building was moved lock, stock and barrel (to use an appropriate metaphor) in 1922, from the Armoury Gardens, because immediately after the First World War, building materials were hard to come by, and they recycled what they had. It has served various purposes in its life, having most recently been a bakery.
After the war the Armoury
was used for convalescence
When the Armoury was a bakery
the pillars were striped as a
warning to fork-lift truck drivers.
Jerry and Graham have always liked Shrewsbury, and one day had a wander round the city checking the lie of the land, seeing if they could find a home there. They saw the Armoury as it was, with its long run of high windows looking out over the river, and thought it would make an interesting pub, although it wasn't available at the time. To use an attractive building on the banks of the river for industrial production was a waste and the potential was plain to see for those with pub-eyes. It seemed that it could be a Harkers on a bigger scale, with the advantage that it would be big enough to cope with a healthy dining trade as well as a busy wet trade.
When the building did come on the market some time later, we were pretty quick out of the traps, although the building needed some serious work on it to get it up to scratch. What began as a quiet spot down by the river when we opened has since burgeoned into the entertainment quarter of the town, with bars and restaurants all around, which wasn't quite our original plan.
Photos courtesy of Morris and Co.
If you'd like to put a name to a face, allow us to introduce you to the crew...
Manager
Emily's family have had pubs in and around Birmingham and Shropshire for years, so she's no stranger to a barrel of beer. She studied Drama and English lit at De Monfort University in Leicester, and is a ballroom and latin dance expert to boot. She has a passion for fine wine and vodka (not necessarily mixed), has a filthy laugh, and works like a Trojan.
Junior Deputy Manager
Tom is known as the old man of the armoury who loves nothing more than to read a newspaper with his favourite beer. He joined the team a few years ago and has been moving his way up the ranks. When not serving pints, he enjoys playing rugby for his team in Whitchurch or getting angry playing golf.
Assistant Manager
Tom is our resident beer buff. He has been with the Armoury team for over a year now and enjoys nothing more than a pint of real ale or three. A cheeky chap with a warming grin who is always up for a chat over the bar.
Head Chef
Dave, aka Popeye, has been in the cheffing trade for many years including a spell working in the tavernas of the Greek islands where he perfected kebabs and moussaka. Dave follows a conflicting range of interests which include weight training, flower arranging, and tough guy competitions, running marathons and needlework. He also a big rugby fan and player when he gets the chance, and likes to wind down after a game with a Campari and soda whilst listening to his favourite Ronan Keating and Westlife tunes.
Sous Chef
Doesn't drink alcohol? What's all this about I hear you ask?!? He may not be able to partake in a beverage (due to a natural intolerance) but he is living proof that you don't need alcohol to have a good time! Andrew does a mean Dr. Evil impression, helped by his natural features, and will serenade the kitchen all evening long.
Cleaner
Noel is an Armoury kitchen legend - he works hard and plays hard, as long as your definition of 'playing hard' is a cup of tea while watching Murder she Wrote box sets. He is a dedicated dessert don and anything that he doesn't know about sweets isn't worth knowing.
Cleaner
Connie started at the Armoury in April 1999 and since then she has become an integral part of the maintenance and kitchen crew. She has a passion for anything from Laura Ashley and regularly brings chocolate biscuits to work with her in the mornings - so is a very popular member of staff.
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