Agnes Creaton
The White Swan - Bradford Street

Agnes Creaton was born in County Roscommon in Ireland and on leaving school, went to work in farming. She later met and married Michael. Finding work in Ireland was difficult at the time so Agnes and Michael decided in 1962 to move to Birmingham.

Michael started work as a barman at the Prince of Wales in Moseley which was run by his sister. He immediately started to love working in the pub trade and before long, Michael had persuaded a reluctant Agnes that they should take on a pub together. Their first pub was another Prince of Wales, on Clifton Road which has since been demolished.

In 1969, they took on a tenancy from Ansells of the White Swan on Bradford Street, Digbeth. Some time later, very sadly Michael died but Agnes, with the support of her family and her plucky right hand woman Sheila, took over the license which she has held ever since. The regulars and the Irish community in general rallied round to help Agnes at this difficult time.

 Agnes is a shy, unassuming lady but still has a lovely Irish sense of humour and runs the White Swan with a rod of iron ! She has seen many changes in the last 37 years, as many of the factories in the area have closed, the clientele has changed as well and Agnes particularly notices a younger crowd these days.

Agnes, who doesn’t drink or smoke enjoys meeting people over the bar and the respect she gets from her regulars.

In 1988 the White Swan underwent a major refurbishment. On reopening Agnes’s four children were there to give their support to mum. Ansells awarded Agnes the “Lady Lessee of the Year award 1994/95” and the certificate is proudly displayed behind the bar. The pub has also featured for many years in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide.

Around 1998 the pub was sold to Banks’s Brewery. The beers changed but not the licensee!
Agnes must be one of the longest serving licensees in Birmingham and we hope she is serving her fine ales for many more years to come.

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Last modified: 03/11/07