Torquay pub history index
The pub was originally called The Foresters, at 96 Lower Union Street in 1893 and earlier. This is later called the Printers Elbow before demolition.
It was so popular that when it was pulled down to make way for the Fleet Walk shopping development; landlord Eddie Thomas moved to higher Union Street at Torre and took over The Globe which he renamed The Printers Elbow 2.
Swan Street and George Street were the back alleys behind the old Fleet Street. The Printers Elbow was so named because it was a true 'working man's pub' for local printers who worked at the Herald Express which was then printed daily across the road in Braddons Hill Road West.
It had stone flagged floors and was also popular with the GPO staff when the postal sorting office was still in Fleet Street and printers at Bendles. *
The Foresters Arms Inn, 17 and 18 George street, Torquay
The Printers Elbow, 17 and 18 George street, Torquay
Kindly provided by Justin Smyth
Directory of Pubs in the UK, historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Devon .
Residents at this address
1881/Mary Dear/Inn Keeper, Widow/74/Landkey, Devon/Census
1881/William Dear/Son, Inn Keeper/42/Torquay, Devon/Census
1881/Thirza Smale/General Servant/50/Chawleigh, Devon/Census
1881/George W Lee/Visitor, Printers Clerk/27/Paignton, Devon/Census
[In October 1892, Frederick B Higginbotham, a potter, aged 20 sails to Boston from Liverpool.
In 1901, Frederick Higginbotham is a Publican at 2 Portobello, St Mary church.
In September 1903, Frederick B Higginbotham, a potter, sails to New York, along with Elizabeth, Ruth Irene and Howard on the Philadelphia from Southampton.
In 1906 he is a member, and Licensed victualler, of the St Johns Lodge of Freemasons, in Torquay.]
1911/Frederick Higginbotham/Public House Keeper/38/Torquay, Devon/Census
1911/Elizabeth Higginbotham/Wife/39/Torquay, Devon/Census
1911/Ruth Higginbotham/Daughter/13/Torquay, Devon/Census
1911/Howard Higginbotham/Son/10/Torquay, Devon/Census
1911/Frederick Higginbotham/../../../McKenzie Directory
1914/Frederick Barber Higginbotham/Beer Retailer/../../Kellys Directory
1923/Frederick Barber Higginbotham/Beer Retailer/../../Kellys Directory
1933, Frederick Barber Higginbotham of 17 and 18 George street Torquay died 28 November 1933 at 17 George street Probate London 28 December to Ruth Irene Higginbotham spinster. Effects £5770 2s 7d.
In 1939 at 17 and 18 George street are :
Douglas Sturrock, Licensed Victualler, born 31 Dec 1897
Dora Pearl Sturrock, domestic duties, born 12 June 1903
Joyce H Stapleton, later Smyth, Servant, born 24 May 1921
Michael Beirne, Public Works contractor, born 31 Jan 1906
1963, Douglas Sturrock of The Foresters Arms Torquay died 21 October 1962 Probate London 7 January to Doris Pearl Sturrock widow and Leonard Cecil Carter supervisor. Effects £4187 7s 11d.
Provided by Justin Smyth (from Devon Live news article - June 2019).