Station Name: YARMOUTH SOUTH TOWN
 Although nothing to do with the railway this picture of The Yare Hotel, visible in other pictures, just had to be included because of the building's 'Odeon Style' splendour. Built in 1939 The Yare, address 21 - 22 Hall Quay, replaced the former Steam Packet and Crown & Anchor establishments. Opening on 13 December 1939, The Yare's first licensee was Walter Thomas Topps, his licence being effective from the previous day. The building was damaged by enemy action during WWII, probably in 1942. On and from 19 October 1943 the licensee became Doris May Topps and this is presumably when it reopened following repairs, but the connection, if any, between the bombing and change of licensee is unclear. The Yare had been a Steward & Patteson establishment until 1967 but there is a record of this company purchasing the building on 21 January 1952, so previous arrangements are a little hazy. Watneys (Watney Mann) took over sometime in 1967. Meantime there had been a succession of licensees until Colin Ernest Howes took over on 6 December 1973. Mr Howes was the be the final landlord as The Yare was to close on 25 February 1974 and this photograph dates from around that time. Like the Star & Garter and The Star, between which it stood, it was to became a bank; Midland and then HSBC. Although no longer a bank, as of 2017 the building still stands but it has sadly lost much of its Art Deco splendour including the 'spine', which was lit by neons, on its front.
Photo © Archant/Great Yarmouth Mercury and reproduced by kind permission  Home Page
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