History

Unlike today, it was quite common in the 19th century for public houses to be used for auctions and even Coroner's inquests. One of the earliest house auctions was held here at the Suffolk Arms on 31st May 1827, in the reign of George IV, but the Inn was actually built in 1824. The Suffolk Road was then known as Commercial Road and this hostelry was often referred to as a hotel. In 1828, the Inn was taken over by Anthony Major who advertised "well-aired beds and every accommodation for Commercial Gentlemen". He had replaced the earlier landlord, Mr Twining, and was himself soon replaced by John Thache, who only lasted until 1833. The lease often came up for renewal and landlords changed frequently.

From about 1900 social gatherings at the Inn included meetings of the South Ward Conservative Air Gun club, for which this was their headquarters, and a skittles club, which was very active. By the 1920s there were also cricket, angling and dividend (savings) clubs based here, indicating how people regarded their local pub as a social and community centre. Darts was also a popular competitive game. ​

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By far the longest serving licensee was Edward Simpson who was here from 1925-1955. In October 1939, with the outbreak of war and the fear of bombing raids, he was unfortunately fined 10 shillings for failing to obscure lights under the Defence Regulations. These matters were taken very seriously; just over a year later an air raid killed 23 people in Cheltenham and left 600 homeless.