The Alexandra was a pub from 1865 to 1974. It was built by Strout & Waterman's Burton Road Brewery, and for years had a huge "Strouts's Noted Ales" moulding above its front door.
It passed through the hands of Tennant's and finally Whitbread's before lack of trade forced its closure. Once 2 dozen pubs provided drink to the thirsty steel workers. Now only a couple survive. " Snap time" in these establishments had to be seen to be believed.
It was possible to walk into an empty pub and watch bar staff pulling pints for all they were worth. The bar top was covered. Then the workers arrived, helping themselves to 3 or 4 pints and carrying them off to a table. One of the bar staff would then go round with a shoulder bag counting the empties and taking the cash. In half an hour the place was empty again.
The pub stood empty for years, and was only demolished in the last few years.