Tag Archives: 1911

Royal Six Bells

Pub that was at 222 High Street, Colliers Wood, Merton. Currently (2025) it is a restaurant.

Contents

Eric Montague Photos
Timeline
Newspaper articles
Maps

1966 photo by Eric Montague, reproduced by kind permission of the Merton Historical Society

1974 photo by Eric Montague, reproduced by kind permission of the Merton Historical Society

I. ANCIENT FOUNDATIONS & EARLY ORIGINS

AD 43 – 400s | The Roman Road

  • Context: The site lies on Stane Street (A24), the Roman arterial road connecting London to Chichester.
  • Significance: This route established Merton as a focal point for transit for centuries to come.

Medieval Era | The Ecclesiastical Link

  • Context: The name “Six Bells” almost certainly refers to the peal of bells at the nearby St. Mary’s Church, linking the pub to the parish’s auditory and religious identity.

II. THE COACHING INN ERA (1750 – 1854)

1750 (July) | The First “Six Bells”

  • Event: Richard Hollamby insures a new building: “The Six Bells Alehouse, unfinished… at Merton Bridge”.
  • Structure: A two-storey, weatherboarded timber structure with a pantiled roof.

c. 1800 | A Vital Stop

  • Status: Recorded as a large public house in the possession of Mr. Newman.
  • Function: Located near the “Single Gate” tollgate, it served as a mandatory stop for travelers moving between rural Surrey and London.

1833 (May) | Community Hub

  • Event: Parish officers “beating the bounds” of Mitcham stop here for lunch, establishing it as a civic and social node.

III. THE VICTORIAN PUB & ROYAL PATRONAGE (1855 – 1994)

1855 | The Rebuild

  • Event: The original wooden inn is demolished (likely for water main works).
  • The current yellow stock brick building is erected in just three weeks by local builder James Bass to be ready for Derby Day.

Late 19th Century | The “Royal” Connection

  • Event: Renamed The Royal Six Bells.
  • Reason: The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) frequented the inn to change horses and rest while travelling to the Epsom Derby.
  • Clientele: It served a dual purpose: a high-class stop for Derby travelers and a “third space” for local mill and textile workers.

1891 | The Local Fabric

  • Context: Census records show the pub surrounded by a dense workforce living in cottages like “Barnes Cottages” opposite, emphasizing its role in the “industrious village”.

WWII (1939–1945) | Civil Defense

  • Adaptation: The nearby Wandle Park swimming pool (behind the pub) is converted into a communal air-raid shelter, integrating the pub’s geography into local defense.

IV. IDENTITY CRISIS & DECLINE (1995 – 2007)

c. 1995 – 2000 | “Riverside”

  • Rebrand: Name changed to Riverside to highlight proximity to the River Wandle.

c. 2000 – 2005 | “Baobab”

  • Rebrand: Renamed Baobab, adopting a thematic/modern branding concept.

2005 – 2007 | “Blue”

  • Rebrand: Renamed Blue, attempting a minimalist lounge/bar aesthetic to attract younger clientele.

V. CATASTROPHE & REBIRTH (2007 – Present)

2007 (July 1) | The Great Flood

  • Event: Severe flooding of the River Wandle causes significant damage to the building.
  • Outcome: The pub closes its doors and remains boarded up for several years, ending its life as a licensed public house.

2011 (September) | Delhi Heights

  • Rebirth: The building is repurposed and opens as Delhi Heights, an Indian restaurant.

2015 – Present | Istanbul Meze Mangal

  • Current Status: The site operates as Istanbul Meze Mangal, a Turkish restaurant.
  • Legacy: The building remains on the Local List of Buildings of Historical or Architectural Interest, preserving the Victorian streetscape.

Newspaper Articles

Norwood News – Friday 14 March 1958

Croydon Express – Saturday 17 December 1910

MERTON. A.O.D.—The Merton Abbey Lodge of the Ancient Order of Druids, which holds its meetings at the “Royal Six Bells,” High-street, Collier’s-wood, Merton, gave an “open night” at that hostelry on Friday last, and a large and representative company Of Druids and their friends attended, amongst others being members of the Wimbledon, Merton,and Mitcham Councils. Noble Arch Birch presided, and Vice Arch Owen occupied the position of vice chairman. A splendid pro gramme had been arranged under the direction of P.A. Reeves, and the harmony was continued till a late hour. During the evening P.A. Nawton. the Patriarch of the Lodge, gave a brief address on “Druidism and its objects—justice, philanthropy, and brotherly love.”

Ordnance Survey maps are reproduced by permission of the National Library of Scotland, reuse CC-BY.

1865 OS map

1894 OS map

1911 OS map

1934 OS map

1950 OS map

1966 OS map

Hannah Lack, draper

Draper who, in 1910, was at no. 2 and 4 High street, Mitcham.

Mitcham Advertiser – Friday 16 December 1910

27th January 1911, Mitcham Advertiser

Mitcham Advertiser – Friday 07 July 1911

This shop was next to the King’s Arms pub, as shown in the 1912 street directory, which lists entries going south.

… here is Sibthorp Road
George Joseph DALE, newsagent
William BARTER, grocer
STANSFELD & Co. Ltd., brewers and wine merchants
Walter MARTIN, butcher
John CUMMINGS, greengrocer
Mrs H. LACK, draper
The King’s Arms P.H., H. & E.F. MOORE

See also the comments below by a descendant of the family and the entry on Wikipedia Lack Brothers

This postcard from the early 1900s shows shops with awnings, the nearest to the Kings Arms is likely to be the draper shop of Mrs Lack.

Postmarked 28th Feb 1907

Mitcham Advertiser – Friday 27 April 1917

A “SPECIAL’S” WEDDING. SERGT. C. LACK AND MISS E. M. RICHENS MARRIED.

Great interest was taken in the wedding at St. Mark’s Church, Mitcham, on Wednesday, of Mr. Charles Lack, younger son of – Mrs. H. Lack, High-street, and of the late Mr. G. A. Lack, and Miss Emily May Richens, elder daughter of Mrs. F. Richens, Newton House, and of the late Mr. John Richens of Tooley-street. The church was filled with spectators.

Mr. Lack was born in Mitcham, is one of the most successful business men in the town, and his social qualities have won him the esteem of all classes. For ten years he has been hon. treasurer of the Tooting, Balham, Merton, and Mitcham Horticultural Society; for 15 years he was a member of the choir of St. Mark’s, and he is now a sidesman; he is hon. secretary of the East Ward Naval and Military Pensions Committee; and since the war began he has been a zealous member of the Mitcham Special Constabulary, of which he is now a sergeant. On several occasions Mr. Lack has been pressed to try tor Municipal honours, but declined, The bride’s family have been domiciled in Mitcham for 30 years, and has always held a high position in the esteem of the inhabitants, and the bride herself has won the particular regard of the people of St. Mark’s, in which parish she has been a constant worker. She has also taken a great and active interest in the military hospital.

Among the congregation were Coun. E. J Mizen (People’s Warden), Coun, Ernest Mizen, Mr Taylor, a former Warden, Mrs. Edward and Mrs. Ernest Mizen, Miss E. Mizen, and Mrs. C. Rutter. Thirty members of the Special Constabulary in uniform formed a guard of honour, and in the church lined the central aisle on both sides. The sergeants present were Sergts, Dale, Cooper, Freeman, Rutter, Billington and McCaul. At the door was the veteran Special Constable Merrick, glowing with Army medals. The service was fully choral, and was conducted by the Rev. James Bevan, of All Saints’, Beddington Corner, a former curate of St. Mark’s, assisted by the Rev. W. K. Roberts, Vicar of St. Mark’s and the Rev. E. J. Baker, Vicar of St. Barnabas. The organist was Mr, J. Hopton. A brief address was delivered at the close of the service by the Rev. James Bevan, and the Rev, W. K. Roberts gave the benediction. Afterwards all joined in singing a verse of the National Anthem. The bride was escorted to the altar by Mr. Tom Richens, her eldest brother, and she was given away by her mother. She was beautifully attired in grey crepe de Chine, trimmed with amethyst bead em- broidery. She wore a grey silk hat, and carried a shower bouquet of liIies and orchids. Her going away dress was a Russian blue coat and skirt, with black and gold hat. There were no bridesmaids.

The Best man was Capt. S. James, King’s Royal Rifles, From the porch to St. Mark’s-road the “Specials” were drawn up in a double line, and when the bride and bridegroom appeared at the church steps they formed an arcade of their truncheons. The Culvers, Carshalton, was lent by Mr and Mrs George Mizen for the reception. Mrs. Richens acted as hostess to about fifty guests, Later in the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Lack left for Cornwall. On returning to Mitcham they will reside at Home Close, St. Mark’s-road. One of the handsomest of the many beautiful wedding gifts was a canteen of cutlery from the Special Constabulary. From the Horticultural Society was received a beautiful silver rose bowl. Another gift of special interest was a handsome brass and copper paper stand presented by the lady assistants at the High-street establishment.

Note that Home Close, is number 26 St Marks Road, the current home of the Royal British Legion, on the corner with Chalkley Close.

Mitcham Advertiser – Thursday 29 July 1926

DEATH OF MRS. HANNAH LACK.
In Business in Mitcham Fifty Years.

A link with the old village of Mitcham was severed this week by the death of Mrs. Hannah Lack, who was in business as a draper in London-road for fifty years.

She passed away in her 82nd year on Thursday, July 22nd, at The Culvers, Carshalton, the residence of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. George Mizen.

No Mitcham resident was held in greater esteem than Mrs. Lack. She came to the village, as it then was, 67 years ago and lived in the same house and conducted the same business in the High-street section of London-road, near the Fair Green, until she retired during the war. She was the widow of Mr. George Albert Lack, who died in 1878.

Mrs. Lack was a fine business woman and during her regime the shop flourished exceedingly. In later years she was assisted by her son, Mr. Charles Lack, who took over the business entirely when his mother retired. To the great regret of all the older residents the business ceased to be a few months ago.

THE FUNERAL.

The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon at Mitcham churchyard. The Rev. W. K. Roberts, Vicar of St. Mark’s, conducted the service. There was a large attendance of the older residents and tradespeople.

The chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lack (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lack, Home Close, Mitcham (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. George Mizen, The Culvers, Carshalton (son-in-law and daughter), Douglas Lack and Lewis Mizen (grandsons), Mr. W. T. Lack and Mr. Percy Martin (nephews), Mr. Stanley Lack and Mr. Charles Lack (great nephews).

Others present at the church and at the graveside were Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Schneider, Mrs. Avery, Mrs. Heasman, Miss Howell, Mr. Ernest Ghinn, Mr. Ernest Ghinn, jun., Mr. Percy Ghinn, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Tibbitts, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Mizen, Mr. W. Barton, Mr. H. H. Dance and Mr. J. Cummings.

The exceptional number of floral tributes included wreaths from Mr. and Mrs. George Mizen, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lack, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lack and family, Lewis, Hubert and Howard (grandchildren), Will, Edie and family, Agnes and family, Mona and Charles Lack, Stanley and Cousie, Miss F. Bowhill and Miss G. Chippendale, Mr. and Mrs. Warr, Beatrice and Bertha, Mrs. Sweet and family, Lil and Harry, Gladys and Fred, Mr. and Mrs. Woonton, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Tibbitts, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Millen, Auntie Byford, Mrs. and Miss Dale, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Miller, Mrs. George Miller, sen., Mrs. Hicks and family, Rosie, Fanny, Stanley and Cissie, Edie and Fred, Mary Howell, Mr. and Mrs. George Lack.