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	Picture source: Heather Faulkes
The Unicorn was one of the licenced properties in Sutton that existed before the 1830 Beerhouse Act. It was located between Low Street and Parliament Street, tucked behind the Rifleman Inn. Although in most records it was described as being on Low Street, accessed via an alleyway to the right of the Rifleman, there was also separate access to Parliament street at the back. The earliest record so far found for the Unicorn is in 1822, when the landlord was William Stevens. He may have taken over the licence from Joseph Mayfield in 1814. In June 1827, an auction of stocking frames took place at the house of Mr. William Morris, the Unicorn Inn, Sutton in Ashfield. On the 2nd November that year the Unicorn was also the location of a boxing match between Joe Brag and Sam Noble. “The fight took place in a large room at the Unicorn Inn, and the opinion of the spectators was, that each champion was an hero, equally brave, both stout athletic men, nearly seventeen stones each, so that no considerable odds were laid on either side.” The match ended in a draw. An inquest was held at “Mr. George Lawsons, the Unicorn” in August 1832 on the death of Mr George Bridgett. In February 1840, another inquest referred to the Unicorn as “the house of Mr John Wood. The same John Wood died at the Unicorn on 3rd November that year, aged 33. The deceased was “universally respected, and left a widow and small family”. In December 1841, another inquest was held “at the house of Elizabeth Wood, the sign of the Unicorn.” In July 1853, a cricket match was held between “The Unicorn” and “The Black Bull”. The Unicorn won. “Score: Elliot’s side, 104; Heath’s side, 98.” When it was put up for sale by auction on 14th June 1880 it was advertised as “A well accustomed and full licenced Copyhold Inn, known by the sign of ‘The Unicorn’, situate in Low Street.” The list of accommodation included spirit vaults, private bar, tap room, two parlours, Bagatelle room, kitchen cellar and four bedrooms, together with a yard, a brewhouse and stabling with a loft over, “now in the occupation of Mr David Hamilton”. On the day of the auction the lot was withdrawn when the bidding did not reach the reserve, but could have been sold privately. In 1883, the property was connected to Edward Wheeler Field of the Nottingham Brewery Company. In May 1885, a meeting was held at the Unicorn Inn to discuss the formation of “The Sutton and District Licenced Victuallers’ and Beerhouse Keepers’ Association”, to which about 30 members had already given their names. On the 11th April 1888, former Unicorn landlord David Hamilton committed suicide by throwing himself in front of a passing train near Kirkby Hardwick. According to the local newspaper: “The deceased was much respected, and misfortune in business had produced [a] melancholy and unsound mind.” At the subsequent inquest, held at the Railway Inn, he was described by his son as having kept the Unicorn Inn “up to about three years ago”. Landlord Henry White was accused of assault in March 1894. At closing time on 17th March, Everett Spencer fell and hit his head on the kerbstone. He received “such serious injuries” that the landlord was deposed by the magistrate. Spencer claimed that White had kicked him both inside and outside the inn when he lost money at dominos and had nothing left to pay for his beer. Despite this, he was listed in the 1896 trade directory as occupying the Unicorn. At the annual licencing session in 1911, the fate of the Unicorn was discussed and the Police reported they had had to visit the house “frequently of late”. It was also pointed out that the Unicorn would not be missed as a public house because there were eleven other licenced properties within 230 yards. It was also suggested that the construction of the building, meaning the back entrance to Parliament Street, “interfered with proper police supervision”. In 1912, it was reported that the Unicorn Inn was to close, and the case came before the Notts Compensation Authority to agree on compensation for the owner. By February 1913, the building was being used by the Sutton Liberal Club, but it was still owned by the Nottingham Brewery Company, who applied to add a skittle alley and a concert room. It was still in use as the Liberal Club in 1941, and was listed as the Liberal Club & Institute in 1966, but the building was described as the “former Liberal Club” in 1983 and was restored as the Unicorn Inn no later than April 1986. In 1987 the owners applied for permission to extend across the alleyway at the front so the main door was on Low Street itself. The Unicorn of the 1980’s offered “Live Acts every Thursday”. A review in the Mansfield & Sutton Recorder in April 1988 claimed that “Sutton’s Unicorn Inn continue(s) to pull in the crowd with lots to go for, including reduced beer prices on certain evenings, top disco shows and of course Friday and Sunday lunchtime specials”. In May 1990, an article in the Mansfield & Sutton Recorder reported the opening of Charlie’s Bar, formerly the Unicorn Inn, “after a four month refurbishment programme, bringing the establishment stylishly up to date. The bar aims to be more than ‘just a pub’ with many special attractions to tempt a variety of new customers into its high-class atmosphere.” Charlie’s Bar was advertised as a “Free House”. The name changed again, to First Base Bar. In April 1999, the First Base Bar was one of the twelve businesses that signed up for the town’s “Pub Watch” scheme. First Base was still open under that name in 2006 and 2007. However, in 2015, it was described as a “disused nightclub” when it was subject to an arson attack in September that left the building “extensively damaged”. The property has since been converted into residential accommodation, made up of seven flats known as "Base Apartments".
Source: Heather Faulkes
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Other Photos
Unicorn Inn, back of photo at right hand side.	Picture source: Heather Faulkes