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Ipswich Uncle Tom's Cabin
Ipswich Uncle Tom's Cabin
also traded as Orwell Mariner
South East, 52.04897,1.15574
closed 29th January 2013
198 Vernon St, IP2 8JF
grid reference TM 164 436
This was a small pub with nautical connections.
The fairly short-lived Orwell Mariner name came about in the 1980s, when Ipswich Borough Council threatened to close the pub down because of its "racist" name; a "fact" strangely lost on the pub's black clientèle (of whom there were many). Evidently the (no doubt white) person who made the ruling had never read Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery classic, which was such a powerful call to arms that Abraham Lincoln once said to Stowe "So you're the woman who started this [civil] war".
It closed January 2013, apparently after problems with its license conditions being breached. In November 2014 indications that it seemed to be en-route to reopening were seen. However it's understood that the authorities were unwilling to issue a new license, so in August 2015 it was sold for conversion into multiple occupancy residential usage.
Owner/operator: Pubmaster
[Orwell Mariner]
Small pub with seafaring connections; at one time called Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Beers: Tetley Bitter.CAMRA's 1997 Suffolk Real Ale Guide
Gallery
Historical interest
In 1937 the pub was listed in Kelly's Directory as one of 220 pubs that were retailing beer that they were brewing.
Originally only licensed as a beerhouse. According to the Ipswich licensing records, the pub got its full license on February 29th 1960.
To be sold by auction, all that well frequented licensed corner house, known as Uncle Tom's Cabin, with cottages adjoining, occupying extensive frontages to Vernon Street, Austin Street, and the Wherstead Road, Ipswich.Ipswich Journal, April 1870**
At the Ipswich Petty Sessions held on the 25th march 1875, the license for Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Vernon Street, Ipswich, was transferred from Charles Rose to Dickerson Steward.Ipswich Journal, March 1875**
Landlords
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)