TEWKESBURY CLOSED PUBLIC HOUSES 1893 (High Street).
Transcription and comments A. Hewett.
This editorial appeared in the Tewkesbury Register on March 25.1893 as an argument against the compulsory closure of Public Houses.
Were further evidence needed in support of the argument of how unneccessary is any new legislaqtion in the "Local Veto Bill" lines for the curtailment of public-house accommodation in Tewkesbury,it might be found in the fact of the number of licensed houses which have been closed here within the memory of a Tewkesbury born man of middle age. The great reduction ensued between 1851 and 1881, in the course of which period the population decreased from 5878 to 5100,and the last of the manufacturing industries which was regarded as the staple-trade of the Borough dissappeared.The present legal enactments for the regulation of inns,and the very heavy imposts in the form of excise and license dues to which the tenants or owners are subject,have certainly by experience proved,as trade has failed,not only an all sufficient remedy against any increase,but for a remarkable decrease in the number of inns here.During the 30 years named, and subsequently, the following 21 houses in the High Street alone lapsed as "Public Houses", and the premises were appropriated for private residences or for ordinary trading purposes.
"CROSS KEYS" The second Hotel in Tewkesbury next door to The Swan: Closed as an hotel in 1858, and converted into a drapery establishment and private residence by Mr.Charles Fisher, on whose retirement it passed into the hands of the present proprieter,Mr.Coleman.
"FLEECE INN" Adjoining the Cross Keys, premises now occupied as stores by Messrs Dobell and Co.
"BREWERS' ARMS" A few doors below Trinity Street, now a private residence occupied by Mr Dowswell
"NEW INN" No.1. At the corner of Trinity Street, now a Coffee Tavern.
"NEW INN"No.2. House on opposite side of street, now a sewing machine depot.
"HEN AND CHICKENS" At the lower end of the Smiths' Lane
"WHITE HORSE" Premises now occupied as offices and warehouses by Messrs Fluck and Son.
"WHITE HART" Now Gopshill,Brown and Sons' sack depot in the Quay Lane.
The premises now Messrs Healings' offices in Quay Lane last kept as a licensed house by a Mr.Pittard.
"STAR" Now a private residence on The Quay occupied by Mrs Wilkins.
"SUN HOTEL" Now Sun Street,the whole area of which,including what is now covered by sheep pens, fire-engine house, and market shops was Inn property.
"SAILOR'S RETURN" In passage beside Mr. Newman's, fruiterer.
Premises in Double Alley, occupied as a beerhouse and bakery,by late Mr.Need.
"UNICORN" In passage opposite Red Lane, still called Unicorn Alley.
"RED LION" Site now occupied by the two houses at the corner of Unicorn Alley.
"SEVEN STARS" Premises now occupied by Mr.Acton,baker and confectioner.
"SHIP AND CASTLE" Residence now occupied by Miss M.J.Moore.
"WOOLPACK" A very ancient hostlerie pulled down for the erection of Miss Scott's residence.
"CROWN" House occupied Miss Bishop, at corner Stevens Alley, top of High Street.
"FISH AND ANCHOR" House beside the Avon opposite the distillery, now occupied by Mrs.Daffurn.
"PRINCE OF WALES" Corner house next the Police Station,now occupied by Mr.Enoch Cottrill.
Several other once famous High Street hostleries might
be included in the list were the reminiscence carried back to
the more flourishing of the coaching times,the hey-day of Tewk
esbury's prosperity as a trading centre, notably among which
were the"DOG AND DUCK" the "BLACK DOG", and the "FEATHERS", names
no doubt well remembered by those who by their own experience
or what they learned from their parents, are familiar with the
Tewkesbury of the first three decades of the present century.
Space does not permit of our entering further into the subject
this week, but we venture to think it possible that when the
list of closed Public Houses here is before them complete the
most uncompromising advocate of prohibition will feel that so
far as the local evidence speaks to the point the evil of too
abundant a supply of licensed house accommodation, if evil it
be, finds its own remedy as the properity that fostered them
declines.Discreetly applied, without fear favour, the law as it
now stands, gives ample power for stopping intemperance so far
as it is encouraged in Public Houses, which have a most important value altogether apart from the supply of exciseable liquors, in furnishing entertainment which even teetotalers often
find it as neccessary to avail themselves of as those who strive to enjoy the creature comforts of life with the moderation
the Creator intended they should be enjoyed.
While it is true that the above named houses had ceased to trade only eight were old established fully licensed sites and two of these closed before 1820 or even much earlier. The rest were beerhouses none of which existed before the passing of the 1830 Beer Act. This act removed many restrictions from the trade and lessened magisterial control. Under this law, any ratepayer could brew and sell beer on his or her premises with only the need of a permit from the excise authority, more or less a formality.The license cost two pounds.Ten of these Beer Houses opened in Tewkesbury in 1830 and it is known that in 1844 there were sixteen of them along with twenty five fully licensed houses.These with the possible addition of one or two beerhouses represents the most premises open at any one time. Most of the closed houses were therefore short lived low class establishments.It must be remembered that this is a propaganda editorial.