As this picture shows the Alex started off as a pub-in-a-house in Victorian times – around 1862. You would find it hard to spot a different from other houses in James Street as the sign is against the wall – not hanging as it is now.

Under the carpet in the bar you can see the outline of the original set up. A very snug pub, just room for a few tables, a small bar and the cellar drop (not the metal modern one that you see out in the street). The pub then absorbed the house next door and was painted. The next picture showing it with its white front is from around the 1940s. In the early 1980s a single storey function room at the back was added creating space for music, pool etc.

The biggest change was around 1988. The rest of the old James Street disappeared! The pub carried on and during the 1990s won 7 CAMRA pub of the year awards. The landlord then was Julian Hardy and he brewed his own beer. When he retired the pub and bought by Nick Pugh and Keith Abbis (landlords of The Victoria Inn in town. They ran The Atomic Brewery (a micro brewery) on site and remodelled the interior. The Alex was no longer a ‘pub of two halves’. They also changed the name to The Alexandra Tavern with emphasis on food and accommodation – however, most people still called it The Alexandra Arms, or more simply ‘The Alex’.
The Alex has a great history as a pub. It was run by bandleader Tom Ward in the 1960s, it launched an impressive air balloon set off from the garden, there was talk of ghosts in the cellar. During and after COVID it opened briefly, but in July 2021 went on the market. In February 2022 it was bought by local artists Steve Davies and Chris Pegler (husband and wife) and a new episode opened, as Art at the Alex.

What is ‘Art at the Alex’?
Its part a working studio spaces (Steve is a printmaker and Chris is a weaver, spinner and dyer, and they are making room for other artists to join them -see ARTISTS for more information). Its a gallery with new exhibitions each month to showcase local art by local artists and makers. (See EXHIBIT if you are a local artist). Its a meeting space for artists (especially Rugby Artists and Makers Network), a place for artists to run workshops, a friendly licensed cafe with pop up chefs. Its a community space and sometimes a space for music. Curiously this pub has been known for decades as being artist-friendly. Many shows by arts-group Tantalus group took place here. Local musicians played here. In these respects ‘Art at the Alex’ continues a tradition.

Because its a working studios its not open to the public full time. Because its under renovation it is closed in the winter and also during August. The ground floor is almost finished now. Its a versatile local arts centre with more artists joining.
Look at the WHAT’S ON? page for more about what is happening here currently.