The Salopian Bar

This inn was first recorded as the Globe the name being transferred there in 1861. The original Globe Inn stood on Castle Hill but the name was transferred to the house on Smithfield Road after the old building was removed from the site of the railway station. The name was changed to the Smithfield around 1916 to reflect the close proximity of the cattle market and again in 1964 to the Proud Salopian after the market was removed to Harlescott.

The Proud Salopian was named after Thomas Southam a local businessman who owned a large brewery in Chester Street on the site now occupied by the Gateway Education Centre. He first started trading as a merchant of wines, spirits and ale from premises on Wyle Cop before acquiring the Chester Street brewery, which he built up to supply public houses throughout Shropshire and the surrounding counties. In 1851 he was elected for the first time to the Stone Ward and was to remain a councillor for the next forty-four years, taking great pride from the fact that during that period he was elected on four occasions by his peer to be Mayor of Shrewsbury. His first term of office was from 1865 to 1866, he was re elected to serve between 1871 and 1872 and finally for a double term between1884 and 1886. For the next forty years a sign hung outside the inn with a fine portrait of Mr. Southam, dressed in his mayoral robes. In 2004 the inn was completely refurbished and the name changed to the Soho.

In 1886 the landlord of the Globe was William Gittins and like so many publicans at this time he had another trade to supplement his income. At this time he was also advertised as a cutler working from 127 Frankwell where he also repaired umbrellas and re-seated cane chairs guaranteeing good workmanship and the best materials.

By 1900 the inn was owned by Trouncer\'s Brewery from Longden Coleham, who were Thomas Southam\'s greatest rivals in the town. There were five public and five private rooms with accommodation for six men in three rooms. The customers were described as mostly from the labouring class and women, perhaps suggesting more \"ladies of the night.\" There was a house in the yard at the rear and stable accommodation for fifteen horses.