The former public library is one of the oldest buildings in Oldbury. Now a grade II listed building, it was erected in 1816 as a Court of Requests. The premises included a gaol, with cells for male and female prisoners. The prison régime was severe. In July 1820, an order was issued that ‘no kinds of provisions, ale, spirits or drinkables be allowed to be received or taken into the prisoners for their use of any description whatever, except a loaf of bread weighing 1lb for each person per day’.

An illustration and text about Sir John Dudley

The text reads: During Henry VIII’s reign, Sir John Dudley had risen to become Lord Admiral. He later acted as Lord Protector to Henry’s sickly son Edward. Sir John Dudley was later executed for trying to install Lady Jane Grey as Queen.

An illustration and text about Elizabeth Fraser

The text reads: After leaving her ancestral home in Scotland, Elizabeth Fraser inherited Oldbury Manor when she was 82 years old. She was lady of the manor for only eight years.

An illustration and text about Frank Skinner

The text reads: Frank Skinner was born Christopher Graham Collins in 1957. He is a writer, comedian and actor and is best known for TV presenting alongside David Baddiel.

An illustration and text about Sir John Frederick Bridge

The text reads: Sir John Frederick Bridge was born in Oldbury in 1844. He became known as Westminster Bridge for his long stint as organist at Westminster. He composed music for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee and was knighted in 1897.

An illustration and text about Jack Judge

The text reads: Jack Judge was born in Oldbury in 1872. He became a popular music-hall entertainer in his forties and was well known worldwide for his wartime success of Tipperary.

A warning on the floor for customers!

The text reads: You are now walking on stones that once made up the floor to the prison cell and exercise yard when this building was operating as a court.

Photographs of some of the building’s original rooms and features, including the cells and the court room, which are still in good condition today

External photograph of the building – main entrance

Extract from Wetherspoon News Summer 2018

The text reads: This former public library is one of the oldest buildings in Oldbury and stands opposite the modern offices of Sandwell Council. It opened as a Wetherspoon pub in January 2012.

A grade II listed building, it was erected in 1816 as a court of requests. The premises originally included a jail, with cells for male and female prisoners. The prison regime was severe.

In July 1820, an order was issued that ‘no kinds of provision, ale, spirit or drinkable, be allowed to be received or taken into the prisoners for their use of any description whatever, except a loaf of bread weighing 1lb for each person per day’.