A Pint of History Please

Exploring the History of Ceredigion's Pubs

Details of pub: Cambrian Hotel, Aberystwyth

Other names: Commercial Inn; Commercial Hotel, Railway Inn, Commercial Vaults
Address/Location: Lewis Terrace (Alexandra Road)
OS Grid Ref: SN5847081623
Opened: before 1867      
Closed: open 2017       Type: Pub
Summary: Although it is said that the Cambrian Hotel was formerly the Commercial, there are separate entries for both in directories for the 1950s. The present-day Cambrian is on the same site as the Commercial Vaults shown on the 1887 50-inch map.

The Cambrian was a popular pub for farmers who attended the farmers' market in Park Avenue, because it was the nearest.


Notes: pre-1867
called the Railway Inn, Licensee J Rees? see 1881 advert

1867
Licensee John Malling.
'formerly the Railway Inn' see advert

1868
Licensee: John Melling,
Slater’s Directory, 1868

"Abraham Evans was charged with the following offence. John Mellings said-The prisoner came here by the last train on Tuesday night, he was very drunk when he entered my house, the Commercial Hotel. After all the other customers had left, I persuaded the prisoner to go out, I then closed the house and put the gas out, when the prisoner broke a pane of glass in the door. I went after him and overtook him, when he struck me and threatened to put a knife into me. I do not wish to press the charge for the assault if he will pay for the broken glass. Fined 5s for being drunk, 5s the value of the glass, and costs." Welshman 14 July 1868

1869
Commercial Hotel, John Mellings, Dining Rooms, Aberystwyth, opposite the Railway Station, (Morgan, T.O., (1869), Guide to Aberystwyth and its Environs (5th edition), p. 179, (1869), advert)
1871
licensee: Margaret Mellings
source: Post Office directory, 1871


1874
Commercial Inn, Mrs Mellings, hotel proprietor, Lewis Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Morgan's New Guide to Aberystwyth, adverts section, p. 33, (1874) ,
1875
Commercial, Margaret Melling, Inn and Public House, Lewis Terrace, Aberystwyth, (Worrall's Directory, 1875)
1875
David Roberts of the Green, Trefechan applied for the renewal of lease of The Commercial Inn, Lewis Terrace
Aberystwyth Town Council Minutes, 17.8.1875. Ceredigion Archives, ABM/SE/1/2
1881
LEASE of the Commercial Inn, Lewis Terrace, 30.11.1881
David Roberts to John Rees
Rent of £35 p. a. free of all taxes etc. with draft of document signed by David Roberts giving notice of the end of the lease in 3 months from 23.6.1883
NLW Roberts and Evans, Aberystwyth deeds 4; CG1/9
1886
J Reese, Wine and Spirit Merchant, Commercial Hotel, (opposite the Railway Station, Aberystwyth).
Cambrian News 16.7.1886
1888
Lease from the Aberystwyth Corporation to David Roberts [Brewer]
Abstract of deeds with plan, Ceredigion Archives, SMB/A 81.4
1893
JANE REESE, COMMERCIAL HOTEL, (Opposite the Railway Station), ABERYSTWYTH. EXCELLENT ACCOMMODATION FOR VISITORS,
AO 31.8.1893
1900 (about)
Commercial Hotel, J. Reese, Wine and Spirit merchant, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, (Peeps at Picturesque Wales , p. 22, (1900 (about), advert)
1901
COMMERCIAL HOTEL, ABERYSTWYTH. (Opposite RAILWAY STATION). THIS ESTABLISHMENT is under NEW MANAGEMENT. It is beautifully Furnished with every accommodation for Commercials, Tourists, Cyclists, Visitors, and others. Replete with all modern appliances. Lavatories. Electric Light throughout. All Wines, Spirits and Cigars of the best quality. ROBERTS'S celebrated Mild and Bitter Beer. BASS'S Bottle Beer and GUINNESS'S Stout. MODERATE CHARGES.
PROPRIETOR MALDWYN HUMPHREYS.
Cambrian News 13.9.1901
1905
Petty Sessions: Aberystwyth; number on list: 13; name of premises: Commercial Hotel; Parish / Place: Aberystwyth; Licensee: Humphreys, Maldwyn; owner or tenant : tenant; registered owner : David Roberts and Sons; free or tied: tied; tied to: Aberystwyth Brewery; type of licence: full; on or off licence: on; number of licenced days per week: 7. (1905 list)

1908
"DEATHS. HUMPHREYS. June 30th, aged 55, Mr Maldwyn Humphreys, Commercial Hotel, Aberystwyth. "
1926
Among the many freehold properties owned by David Roberts and Sons, 31.3.1926
NLW, Roberts and Evans, David Roberts of Trefechan; CB7/7
1926
Commercial Hotel, Bennett, George, hotel proprietor, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide and Souvenir, p. a6, (1926), advert), photograph
1934
Commercial Hotel, Evans, J., hotel proprietor, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide and Souvenir, p. 85, (1934), advert), photograph
1935
Commercial Hotel, A.E. Jones, hotel proprietor, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide and Souvenir, p. 86, (1935), advert), photograph
1937?
Commercial Hotel, A.E. Jones, hotel proprietor, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide and Souvenir, p. 79, (1937?), advert), photograph
1940s
Commercial Hotel, Arnold, E. Jones, hotel proprietor, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide, p. 36, (1940s), advert), photograph
1940-1941
Commercial Hotel, A.E. Jones, hotel proprietor, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Aberystwyth, Official List , p. 10, (1940), advert), photograph
1947
Commercial Hotel, A.E. Jones, hotel proprietor, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Aberystwyth, Where the Mountains come down to the Sea, p. 12, (1947), advert), photograph
1948
Commercial Hotel, A.E. Jones, hotel proprietor, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Aberystwyth, Where the Mountains come down to the Sea, p. 16, (1948), advert), photograph
1950s
Commercial Hotel, Mr and Mrs J. N. Morris, hotel proprietor, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Aberystwyth, Where Sunshine Awaits You, p. 38, (1950s), advert)
1950s
Commercial Hotel, J.N. Morris, hotel proprietor, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide, p. 32, (1950s), advert)
1956
Commercial Hotel, Mr and Mrs J. N. Morris, hotel proprietor, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, (Anon, Official Guide, p. 36, (1956), advert), picture





Additional information


People associated with this establishment
Mellings, John [-]