Long-lost Hereford pub honoured one of city's most famous daughters

The buxom 17th-century actress Nell Gwynne's name was given to the latest Whitbread project in the city in August of that year, when the former British Oak in Monkmoor Street was refurbished at a cost of £125,000.

Chrissie and Frank Moss at the Nell Gwynne. Picture: Hereford Times (Image: Hereford Times)

The pub had been closed for three months while the works went on.

Renamed after the woman who charmed London theatre audiences and won the heart of King Charles II, the pub was also extended to create one large lounge area with seating on different levels to give a gallery effect. 

Hereford Times (Image: Hereford Times)

The new design of the pub saw "quite a splendid reorganisation" of the old inn, the Hereford Times reported at the time.

It boasted two bars with a pool table, an eating area, and an outside patio garden with lighting and bench seats.

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It also offered accommodation with five rooms, including two family rooms, to let.

Behind the bar was new licensee and former sailor Frank Moss, his wide Chrissie, their daughter Tracey, and her husband David Hunter, who previously managed a pub in Basingstoke.

Chrissie and Frank Moss, managing director Chris Milne, Amanda Pullin, and Tanya Cunningham. Picture: Hereford Times (Image: Hereford Times)

Mr Moss, who had retired from the Navy after Fleet Air Arm service in Borneo and The Falklands, said he was delighted with the new Nell Gwynne.

"The new name fits perfectly with the new-style pub and honours Nell Gwynne, who was born in Hereford," he said.

It was later announced that the Nell Gwynne closed for good on September 7, 2014, after the then owners declared the backstreet bar was no longer financially viable.

Nell Gwynne, 2014. Picture: Hereford Times (Image: Hereford Times)

The pub was owned by Herefordshire Pubs Ltd. Spokesman Billy Reynolds said that the plan has his backing.

"We tried to keep it as a pub, but it was not financially viable," said Mr Reynolds at the time.

"It will close on September 7 because we cannot keep it going and are losing money there."

Campaigners Fred Davis, Andrew Curran, David Finnigan, Shannon Webb, Sonja Webb, and Nicholas McLleland. Picture: David Griffiths. Picture: Hereford Times (Image: Hereford Times)

Regulars launched a campaign to try and keep it open, with dozens of objections submitted to Herefordshire Council after a planning application was made to turn the pub into flats.

Mark Haslam, from Herefordshire Campaign for Real Ale was also fighting the pub's corner.

"The owner claims that it is unviable, but the very different reality is that the pub is open and the landlord is doing good business," said Mr Haslam at the time.

The Nell Gwynne in 2015. Picture: Google Maps (Image: Hereford Times)

But the campaign was in vain, with the pub boarded up by 2015, and works to convert it into flats well underway.