After 27 years as an Adnams tenant the licensee at the Lord Nelson in Ipswich, Don Williamson, is calling last orders for the final time. Don is due to retire from the pub early next year and in order to find the right replacement; Adnams is holding a recruitment open day at the pub.
According to Adnams’ General Manager of Pubs, Rob Ward “Within the Adnams estate are a number of iconic pubs where the tenancy only changes hands once in a blue moon. The Lord Nelson is one of these pubs where the vacancy has arisen following Don’s decision to retire having been the tenant there for the last 12 years. We have decided to hold an open day for prospective tenants so that experienced landlords and those new to the trade can come along to view the pub and talk to Don and his team about running this popular Ipswich pub.”
Don Williamson comments, “The Lord Nelson is a wonderful pub famous for its food and of course the Adnams beers served straight from the cask. The pub has a wide range of customers with many regulars, real ale enthusiasts and visitors to Ipswich, particularly into the marina. It will be sad evening when I lock up for the final time, but it has been a great few years. Terrific fun, lots of hard work and I would like to wish the next tenants every success.”
The open day for this and other opportunities within the Adnams tied estate will be held at the Lord Nelson, Fore Street Ipswich on Tuesday 9th December 10am – 5.30pm. Anyone wishing to discuss the day or receive tenancy details can contact Tanya Barber on 01502 727200 or email tanya.barber@adnams.co.uk
History of the Lord Nelson
The Inn standing on the north east side of Fore Street, opposite the east end of Salthouse Street, was not always known as the Lord Nelson. Until sometime between 1790 and 1805 it was called the Noah’s Ark, which was often abbreviated to Ark.
The earliest reference traced of the Noah’s Ark is 1672, during the reign of Charles 11, when the local Headboroughs ordered William Stephens to repair his pavement. The fact that the Noah’s Ark was an Inn rather than just a tavern or alehouse is confirmed by an entry in the borough records of 1696, where
in a payment to the Landlord is recorded for billeting a soldier or soldiers.
Many references to the Noah’s Ark can be traced throughout the 18th Century, in treasurer’s accounts, Sessions records, parochial accounts of St. Clement's Parish and land tax valuations. In 1715 the landlord was again in trouble with the Headboroughs when he was accused of having ‘muck’ in the vicinity of his Inn. The usual fine was 3d. (slightly more than 1p. of today’s currency) and often 6d. for repeated offences. It is possible to trace many advertisements in the Ipswich
Journal referring to this Inn. One in particular on the 26th June 1790 is interesting as it included a list of Inns giving details where horses and carriages could be left by inhabitants voting in the election to take place in three days time. The Noah’s Ark was one of the Inns named.
The advertisement of 1790, mentioned in the previous paragraph, was the last reference traced of the name Noah’s Ark. In 1805 the new name of the Lord Nelson was first noticed in the Overseer’s accounts of St Clement’s parish. The license to trade in intoxicating liquor, dated 1811, is extant and cost £9 i
ndicating that the establishment was more than just a common beerhouse. Many other licenses of the first half of the 19th Century have survived together with alehouse re
cognizances of 1824 and 1825. In 1996 the Lord Nelson underwent complete refurbishment in a style appropriate to its age and location.
The building, originally two timber framed cottages, has been listed Grade 11 by the Department of the Environment. The pub was renamed the Lord Nelson when he was appointed as High Sheriff of Ipswich.