Then and now: Paignton pub with checkered past

11 Dartmouth Road was once home to the Lime Tree, a landmark Paignton pub frequented by locals.

Sadly, the Lime Tree closed its doors in July 2019 after being almost entirely destroyed by a fire that broke out early on a Saturday evening.

Subsequent reports confirmed the fire started accidentally due to a fridge in one of the upper bedrooms, which was fortunately unoccupied by its staff-member tenant at the time.

Though firefighters successfully contained the blaze and evacuated nearby neighbours, the property sustained significant damage. Owner Gary King faced extensive refurbishment challenges.

Now, more than five years later, the site is being transformed into a series of residential flats, marking a new chapter for the location.

Above: The Lime Tree 2024. Work has begun to turn it into flats. Image: Elizabeth Kings

With a new future ahead, it seems fitting that we use this opportunity to shine a light on its rich and complex history.

According to a Facebook post by Graham Wheatley, with insights from Michael Wells, the 16-bedroom building was formerly The Coverdale Hotel. Rebuilt in the 1930s, it featured four bars and stood on the site of the H. & G. Simonds Brewery.

Ironically, this rebuild followed a fire in February 1930 that destroyed the previous establishment, the Commercial Hotel.

Tracing further back to the mid-19th century, the site originally housed the Commercial Inn. Its first recorded proprietor, Thomas Luscombe, passed away in November 1852. In 1856, the license transferred from George Turner to William Michelmore.

Over the years, the premises continued to evolve, becoming Moore’s Hotel until 1899 and then Green’s Commercial Hotel, where it was purchased by entertainer Victor Andre.

The comments under Wheatley’s post reflect the somewhat nuanced history of the site, which had seen better days in its later years. 

Once a vibrant hub of Paignton’s community, the premises eventually began attracting police attention due to incidents that occurred there.

Above: The Lime Tree 2024. Work has begun to turn it into flats. Image: Elizabeth Kings

Neil Stoddard remembers the establishment as “Fag Ash Lills,” with Sarah McDonald agreeing: “I vividly remeber going past in the car a lot when I was younger and it being called that”.

Tim Wills says: “For many of its later years it was very much the bar in Star Wars. A cess pool of anti-social behaviour and bottom feeders.”

Roger Lancaster, who once worked on the premises, shared similar sentiments: “Relocated to Torbay in 1970 and lived in there working as Bar Cellarman. Tony Hickman was the manager back then, the place was packed out every night. Happy days.”

Joe Vaughan added: “Used to see some great bands in there.”

Jeremy Tozer shared a uniquely personal experience with the establishment, saying: “My grandfather sold The Torbay Inn on Fisher Street to buy the Coverdale when it was called the Commercial Hotel (for travelling sales reps; the family had owned the pub for about 80 years). I still have masses of Commercial Hotel engraved cutlery.”

Most histories are somewhat checkered, and regardless of the memories tied to the site, it has certainly moved and evolved with the times.

Are there any Torquay establishments that you miss? Let us know at torbayweekly@clearskypublishing.co.uk.