When pizza replaced porridge in Warwick

Our top photograph shows a view of East Gate from Jury Street. East Gate was one of the three gates which formed part of the defences of Warwick, and in medieval times was used for exhibiting severed heads on spikes. The Catholic priest John Sugar was hung, drawn and quartered there in 1604.

The photo, and the modern one taken by the author in 2011, shows the Porridge Pot restaurant, which many readers will remember. Lynne Williams says: “The old Porridge Pot has been given a facelift and has been transformed into a Pizza Express. This was once a popular, individually owned business. Alas, many of the individually and family-run businesses have disappeared, victims of high rentals for prime positions, having to compete with national chains and franchises.”

She points out that St Peter’s Chapel, built over the East Gate archway, became part of the King’s High School, but was auctioned in 2010 and converted into rented holiday accommodation.

Traffic used to pass through the archway until 1953. It was closed because lorries would often get stuck when trying to pass through. In 1916 East Gate was the scene of a dramtic tram accident when a driverless tram left the rails and careered into the Castle Arms. Three passengers were injured.

Warwick Then and Now by Lynne R Williams is published by The History Press, priced £12.99.