Royal Oak (Boston)

Ordnance Survey extract from 1887. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland (http://maps.nls.uk/index.html). Of the two inns on the west side of High Street, the Lord Nelson is the southern one, the Royal Oak is the northern one.

Royal Oak, 67 High Street, Boston, Lincolnshire.

The Royal Oak Inn was built some time before 1784. John Rook was brewing here in 1833/5 and his widow, Ann, offered the premises for sale with brewery in 1844 and 1848. It was occupied in 1850 by Charles Smalley and he offered it for sale with brewery in July, and the plant in September. The premises were again offered for sale with the brewery in 1855, when the occupier was Benjamin W Rippin.

John Chapman Leak was in occupation between 1861 and 1871, with James Chiles apparently following by 1876. The style had changed to James Chiles & Son (James Chiles and James Leak Chiles) by 1877 and they continued to 1895. Mrs Fanny Berry was in occupation in 1896, and William Henry Hubbert from 1898-1902.

The premises were acquired by Soames & Co. Ltd of Spalding in August 1903 for £2,200.

The Royal Oak closed on 30 April 1958 and was demolished in the 1960s to make way for the Haven Bridge Road.