The Fountain Inn, Digbeth - A Birmingham Gem!

The Fountain Inn is on Alcester Street and Cheapside in Digbeth (not far from Highgate). Dating to 1780, the public house was restored in 2021. Was formerly run by Mitchells & Butlers.


Where is The Fountain Inn?

The Fountain Inn is at 93 Cheapside, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QH. At the corner with Alcester Street.

 

In brief

The Fountain was a former Mitchells & Butlers pub at the corner of Alcester Street and Cheapside in Digbeth, not far from Highgate. It dates to 1780 and was fully restored in 2021.

The Fountain InnThe Fountain Inn at Alcester Street and Cheapside in Digbeth (May 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Fountain Inn - history

The Fountain was built in 1780 at the corner of Alcester Street and Cheapside.

The pub was formerly owned by Mitchells & Butlers, but is now independently owned.

Under M & B it was called The Fountain or The Fountain. Cheapside.

Near the Irish Quarter, the pub was used to celebrate St Patrick's Day every March.

The Fountain Inn

The Fountain Inn

The Fountain InnThe Fountain Inn at Alcester Street and Cheapside in Digbeth (March 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There was a hidden Birmingham Forward coat of arms and a red post box which were boarded up for years.

The M & B sign was on the painted pub sign, with the image of a deer.

The Fountain Inn

The Fountain InnThe Fountain Inn at Alcester Street and Cheapside in Digbeth (December 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The new owners fully restored the pub in 2021, but was told by the Council they couldn't knock it down as it was a building of interest.

During the restoration, they got a vintage 1920s Morris Cowley car into the basement!

On uncovering the Forward coat of arms and red post box, they were repainted.

The Fountain Inn

The Fountain InnThe Fountain Inn at Alcester Street and Cheapside in Digbeth (May 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

More information on the restoration of the pub via Graham Young of the Birmingham Mail's article from September 2021: £1 million city centre pub restoration has a 100-year-old surprise in the cellar

 

Contact details

Facebook: The Fountain Inn Digbeth

0121 753 2049

thefountaininndigbeth@gmail.com

Project dates

26 May 2022 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Food & drink, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com