Banstead Village

The image, is just as I remember the Woolpack in the early 1960's. I recall them adding outside furniture to the patio area whilst a lot of us sat on the brick wall in the evenings.
The flower beds seem to be established and could indicate the same period. The off-licence was also quite popular with some of us underage trying to buy cider etc.
Later we were able to park our cars in front of the building and in front of the double garage.
If pushed I would say 1965.

It is as I remember it in the mid 60s too. Elderly gentlemen often sat outside with their pints and pipes and quietly watched the world go by.

I was told that this pub had a sweet shop/tobacconist within it as you walked in the front door, I believe that you had to walk through it to get to the pub, can anyone confirm or elaborate on this for me please?

Reply from LNW: Hi Nick, that is the first I have ever heard of that. The nearest I can come to explaining it is that before the V-1 was dropped on that end of the High Street in August 1944, the old Woolpack was just across, what was then a much narrower High Street, from a sweet shop/tobacconist which can be seen in several postcards from the time.

The door in the extended front housed the Off licence which also sold tobacco and sweets. It didn't lead in to the pub.

Hi Lynn,
I was told it was from the front entrance door back to the bar which was the then shop counter, so I guessed the actual bar was each side of that?
How long ago was this?

As I remember, the off-licence front door led into a small area in which there was a counter fitted across the width of the room, preventing any access to the bars. The bar staff would come down a few steps from their positions behind the two main bars and serve those who wanted to purchase items of bottled beers or spirits along with crisps (only two flavours I recall) and peanuts. I was not aware they sold confectionery, at least I didn't buy any.

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