Torquay – The Fox and Firkin

This pub at the top end of Union Street closed in 2023 and has now been sold, quite cheaply by the looks of it, with the chance of it remaining a pub being slim. CAMRA note that it was known for its cheap beer and community feel, including its darts team. There’s an article about the pub closing and also an internal photo of the bar area at https://www.devonlive.com/whats-on/whats-on-news/seaside-pub-flat-up-grabs-7179424. The price that it looks like they got wasn’t a vast amount higher than the £110,000 that the pub sold for towards the end of 1998.

As an aside, in 1998, The Torbay Express reported:

“The Torbay Combination League has thrown out and fined First Division side Fox & Firkin £300. And they have sent Devon FA a list of 28 players registered with the Torquay pub team, which could lead to bans from playing all forms of football until the money is paid. “Hopefully it won’t come to that, but we’ve had enough of the Fox & Firkin,” said league secretary Bill Matthews. The overall fine includes £200 for being kicked out, and £100 for not paying previous fines imposed for failing to raise sides, send in match cards and telephoning results of home games.”

My favourite bit they added was that they turned up to one match with eight player but four of those had gone home before the end of the game. It’s always a shame to lose a pub, especially as it’s very close to the Printer’s Elbow II which is also currently closed.