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YORKSHIRE (NORTH) - York, Golden Ball National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors Part One 2 Cromwell Road, Bishophill, York, YO1 6DU Tel: 01904 652211 Public Transport: Railway Station: York Listed Status: Grade II View this pub on a local map
A 1929 remodelling of a small Victorian local by the Tadcaster brewers John Smith's under their long-serving company architect, Bertram Wilson. This is thought to be the most complete surviving example of an inter-war scheme by a company who were becoming one of the UK's biggest regional brewers. Their legacy at the Golden Ball is an interior which, though surprisingly conservative in style for the time, was unusual in its planning - with only one entrance to the drinking areas and an intimate little bar-side 'hall' of which no other similar example is known. Through the lobby with its 1920's tiling to dado height and terrazzo floor, and situated on the right with a doorway gap it also has a terrazzo floor, a 'The Golden Ball Inn' etched windows and 1930s fixed seating with service from a small bar and doorway/hatch for staff.
At the rear left is the little altered since Victorian times smoke room with a figure '2' on the door, Victorian fixed seating all around the room with bell pushes, a Victorian tiled, cast iron and wood surround fireplace and a baffle either side of the door. The 1929 scheme also created the corner off-sales (now defunct) with a dado of 1930s tiled walls and a hatch/doorway to the side of the servery and the public bar's rare tiled counter-front.
The main bar with a figure '3' on the door and lino floor has a rare tiled counter-front from 1929, the original 1929 bar back with glazed panels in the central section and beyond it is the steps to the cellar!. The fixed seating and wood surround with modern brick infill fireplace is also from 1929, a 'Moors & Robson's Pale & Mild Ales' mirror, and this room still retains three of 1929 'John Smith's' 'Magnet Ales' etched windows and another one with a pattern.
The only substantial post-war change has been the 1990s creation of an extra room from private quarters. Situated on the left of the entrance it has a tiled and marble surround fireplace from the early 20th century, some modern fixed seating and a bar billiards table. The original outside gents and ladies toilets (now covered over) have been retained and have some 1930s dado tiling. The distinctive glazed brick and tiled exterior including the 'John Smiths Tadcaster Ales & Stouts' fascia on the Victor Street side, 'Entrance' and 'The Golden Ball' on the Cromwell Road side were all added as part of the 1929 scheme. Statutorily listed in 2010 following a successful application by CAMRA. Opens at 4pm Mon to Thu.
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