A Pint of History Please

Exploring the History of Ceredigion's Pubs

Description of the Drawbridge for compensation hearing

Source: Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser 05/03/1908       Date: 1908
Copyright:       Type: Newspaper
Description:

Transcript:
The Drawbridge. In regard to this license, Mr. R. W. Picton Evans asked if it had been objected to before.-The Chief Constable said that it was objected to three years ago on the ground of redundancy, and also that the person applying for the license was not a fit person to keep a public house within the meaning of the Act. It was referred to t Quarter Sessions, but the license was renewed on a technical point.
P.S. Davies, examined by the Chief Constable, said the licensee's name was Margaret Williams. It was a six-days license, and the house was situated in the Lower Mwldan, Cardigan. There were a bar, parlour, and kitchen on the ground floor. The bar measured 14ft. 9inches by 13ft. 9inches, the parlour 15ft. by 10 feet, and the kitchen 11ft. 9 inches by 11 ft. There were four bedrooms. A small yard was at the back, but there were not adequate sanitary arrangements. The place was in a fair state of repair. There were no stables. He would say that the trade at the house was small. The rateable value was £7 5s. The nearest licensed house was the Plasterer's Arms, Mwldan, which was about 100 yards away. The latter house had four rooms on the ground floor, and six bedrooms. It also had a yard and stables, and was a larger and better house than the Drawbridge Inn, and was situated in a more convenient place for the public. In his opinion there was a larger trade there than at the Drawbridge Inn. The rateable value was £11 5s, and the stables were separately rated. The population of the borough was 3.505 at the last census and the number of licensed houses was 30, including those already referred. He did not consider that the Drawbridge Inn was required.
In answer to Mr. Picton Evans, P.S. Davies said he did not consider before the licensing sessions last month that the house was not required.- Replying to the Chief Constable, the sergeant said he gave evidence two years ago that the house was not required.
The licensee formally asked for a renewal of the license. Being told by the Chairman that the Sergeant said the house was not required, the licensee said she ought to know more about it than the Sergeant. (Laughter). She got her living by it.
The Chairman said the house was at one time an important one.-Replying to Mr. R. W. Picton Evans, P.S. Davies said his ground for saying that only a small trade was done, was the fact I that whenever he saw the place there were not more than one or two customers there. He admitted that there was no complaint against the conduct of the house.
The licensee was sworn, and said she was a widow. She was satisfied with the business done at the house, and she would like to retain the license. She did not brew.
By Mr. R. W. Picton Evans: Many of the public houses at Cardigan did not brew.
The Chief Constable, on this point, said that two or three years ago the bench were assured that the licensee was going to put up a brewing plant. That had not been done, and, consequently, the promise made to the Bench had not been carried out.
Mr. Picton Evans said the owner made the promise; it had nothing to do with the licensee.
The Chief Constable said the Bench only had dealings with the licensee, and the promise at that time was made through the licensee.Mr. Picton Evans asked the licensee if she had ever spoken to the owning company about their promise, and she replied that she had done so many times. The Chief Constable said that in itself was a very good reason why the license should be suppressed; as the owners would not carry out their promises to the Bench.
Notes:
Linked to
Drawbridge Inn , Lower/Middle Mwldan, Cardigan