THIS week in Down Memory Lane we visit an old pub of Grays which has changed names several times over the years.

The Wharf pub has had other names – firstly the Jolly Sailor, then it was changed around 1780 with a new landlord, John Crib, and became the Sailor’s Return Inn.

John was also a corn porter. Corn barns are recorded on the wharf and nearby were the maltings and two hop kilns, so one can visualise the Thames barges landing cargos and taking on malt and barley for the breweries.

John had two sureties to guarantee he sold wholesome ale and beer.

One was George Dandridge, who kept the Waterman’s Arms (possibly a Gravesend pub?) who also gave sureties to Ann Higgs, who held the licence for the Bull pub in Grays High Street.

There seems to have always been some rooms available to stay overnight (for sailors) and a veranda facing the river to sit and watch the ebb and flow of the river activities.

In 1881, John McNeil took over as publican and by 1886 had changed the name of the pub again, this time to the familiar the Wharf.

In 1963 the Grays & Tilbury Gazette reported the Portland Cement estates that owned the land were likely to take back the pub from the Ind Coope’s Romford brewery, who only had a year of the lease to run.

Locals thought the pub may be knocked down – I can confidently report these concerns were unfounded! The venue is well worth a visit today for a drink and some food.