Going, going, gone: Historic Robin Hood pub flattened
It had stood for almost 200 years - but now all that is left of the Rood Hood pub is a pile of rubble after it was flattened to make way for new homes.
Three houses will now be built on the site of the iconic watering hole in Walsall Road, Churchbridge.
It took just eight hours to demolish the former 19th century pub, which closed almost a year ago, on Wednesday.
Mother of three Claire Ellis, 32, caught the final moments of the Robin Hood on her camera as it was torn down.
She said: "I was taking my children to school around 8am and it was still standing but by the time I came to pick them up it was half gone.
"It had been completely demolished by 5pm.
"I think one of the reasons it did not re-open was that it was structurally unsound.
"Even the builders said they didn't expect it to come down so easy, so maybe it was."
A study was carried out as to whether the watering hole could be a sustainable business in the future but the report concluded it was 'unviable' and would require a £200,000 revamp to give it a 'new lease of life'.
Armstrong Walker, which carried out the inspection, branded the Robin Hood as 'charmless' and an 'eye sore'.
The firm also confirmed the fears over structural integrity.
Their report said: "The Robin Hood is a plain charmless building located on the edge of the village and does not have the attractive rural location nor is it an attractive building that typically operators and customers of a gastro pub will seek out."
Mrs Ellis said the pub would be missed. She added: "I know quite a few friends who used to go in there.
"I spoke to one woman who was in tears about it going because she had so many memories there.
"It is one of the landmarks of Churchbridge and everyone knows it.
"In a way I am glad it has gone because it had become an eyesore.
"But I wished they weren't going to turn it into housing. There is too much of that around here.
"Most people wanted it restored as a pub."
Trevor Humphris acquired the freehold for the Robin Hood in 2013.
A planning application to turn the site into three homes was lodged with council planners in November and approved by South Staffordshire Council last month.
