SO which pubs do you remember? The Quadling Arms in Quadling Street maybe? Or Rose Inn in St Peter’s street? Or perhaps Happy Return in Holywells Road?

Ipswich photographic historian David Kindred has compiled a new book designed to paint a picture of the Ipswich pub, as well as creating an accurate record of pubs we have loved and lost over the years.

Ipswich: Lost Inns, Taverns and Public Houses records around 400 establishments the town once boasted.

With informative pictures and snippets of information, the book also includes sections on the history of Ipswich’s coaching inns and establishments closed before 1920.

David said: “In 1893 there were 308 licensed premises in the town and that figure fell to 277 just before the First World War. The trade flourished until the 1970s, but in the 1980s many old public houses changed their identities in order to remain fashionable and took on odd names as a result.”

He added: “There have been several developments which have challenged the public house as a social centre.

“In the 1960s the emergence of television sets in most homes encouraged people to stay there in the evenings.

“From the 1960s onwards the average age of those visiting pubs fell.

“At the same time there was competitive growth in what has been called the ‘night time economy’.

“When the ban on smoking indoors came into effect in July 2007, the industry again felt the impact.”

Despite the closure of so many pubs in Ipswich David remains optimistic about the town’s drinking establishments.

He added: “Although the trade had changed beyond recognition in less than a lifetime, there are still hostelries to be found in the town where you can be sure to feel welcome.”

Ipswich: Lost Inns, Taverns and Public Houses is due to be published by Old Pond publishing in mid- August. To order your copy, please call 01473 238200.

Which pubs and inns do you remember? Which tavern do you miss the most? E-mail starletters@archant.co.uk