A Pint of History Please

Exploring the History of Ceredigion's Pubs

Details of pub: Biddulph's, Aberystwyth

Other names:
Address/Location: 19 Terrace Road
OS Grid Ref: SN5847781701
Opened: c.      
Closed: NOT KNOWN       Type: Off-licence
Summary: In 1896 this was occupied by Harry Biddulph a tea merchant and grocer, who already had a licence to sell alcohol wholesale (in units of at least 4½ gallons of beer or 2 gallons of spirits). Despite local objections, and a threat from his landlord to eject him, he was granted a licence to sell smaller quantities of wine and spirits, but not bottles of beer. It was considered to be too close to the Coachbuilders Arms which was located in Cambrian Place, the Terminus and the Watkin’s Wine Vaults. No pubs are recorded for Cambrian Street.

Notes: 1896
APPLICATIONS. On behalf of Mr Biddulph, Terrace-road, grocer, Mr Arthur J Hughes, solicitor, applied for the following licences :
(1), An excise licence to sell (by retail) wine, in pursuance of the Act 23 Vict., ch. 27, section 3, and Acts amending the same
(2), an additional excise license to sell (by retail) spirits, in pursuance of the Act 24 and 25 Vict., ch. 21, section 2;
(3), an excise licence to sell (by retail) beer and cider, in pursuance of the Act 1 George IV. and 1 William IV., c, 64, and the Acts amending same
(4), an additional excise licence to sell (by retail) beer, in pursuance of the Act 26 and 27 Vict., c 33, c 1, to be respectively drunk or consumed off the premises at the house or shop situate in Terrace-road.
William Jones, clerk in the employ of Mr Arthur Hughes, proved service of the notice on the Chief Constable and Overseers dated August 10th, and Mr Hughes put in the paper in which the application was advertised.
In his opening remarks Mr Hughes said the Bench had discretionary power with reference to the granting of the beer licence, but in respect to the others if he proved that the applicant was a person of good repute and the value of the premises were sufficient the Bench as a matter of course would grant the applications. The Chief Constable would bear him out that the applicant was a man of good character and there was no suggestion as to his legibility for holding the licences.
The Chief Constable agreed as to applicant's character but opposed the applicant for a beer licence. Mr Biddulph was then called and said that the rent of his house was £32 and that he already held a wholesale dealer's licence for the sale of spirits of not less than 2 gallons in quantity and a similar license for the sale of beer in quantities of not less than four and a half gallons or 2 dozen reputed quarts. He held an agency for the Anglo Bavarian Beer Co., but in consequence of his not having the additional beer license, he had been unable to supply customers with the beer, for which there was a demand, in small quantities.
The Chief Constable asked for the present licences held by applicant, who subsequently produced them. In a reply to the Chief Constable applicant admitted that there were a few public houses in close proximity to his shop. The Chief Constable then called evidence to show that there was no need for the licence in the locality. Thomas Morris, landlord of applicant, objected to his house being used for the sale of intoxicating liqours and said applicant had never asked him for permission to sell beer in the shop. In cross examination, witness said it would have been honourable for Mr Biddulph to have informed him of his intention to apply for the licence. He objected to grocer's licences generally and admitted applicant was of good character and said that he should be compelled to remove from the shop in May next and he now publicly notified applicant of that intention.
Mr John Morgan-That is your business and not the business of the public.
Mr Morris-It does not matter. I am giving evidence.
P.S. Phillips was then called and stated that the distance of applicants' house from the Terminus Hotel was 34 yards, from the Coach builders Arms, 45, and from Mr Watkins' Wine Vaults, 70 yards.
The Rev Wm. Jones then handed in a petition against the application signed by persons residing in the vicinity of applicants shop, and said he was present when the majority of the signatures were made. The Mayor observed that a number of the signatures were in the same handwriting. The Rev William Jones said that was because in some houses alI the persons could not write and one person then made the signatures. In cross-examination by Mr Hughes, Mr Jones said he objected to all licences and Mr Hughes remarked that he admired Mr Jones' scruples. (Laughter). Mr Hughes-Why did you leave the petition until the last moment ? Did you think it was right to do so in order that a counter petition could not be got up. The Rev William Jones-I have my time. I could not go at all times. Mr Hughes-Did you read or explain the nature of the petition before you got the people to sign it ? Mr Jones It was read in some cases, and Mr Jones, who accompanied, explained it in other cases. Mr Hughes- And you explained it from your point of view, and explained the terrible consequences of the application. Mr Jones -Of course, I did.
Mr Hughes then reviewed the evidence at length and commented strongly on the way the petition had been got up. He pointed out that the objection to grocer's licences was that they, perhaps, were the cause of secret drinking, but on the other hand there were people who did not care to go into a public-house for beer, but would go into a grocer's shop for it. It was to suit that class of people that the application was applied for, and they had had it from Mr Biddulph that there had been a large demand for a beer for which he was agent, but could not supply it in small quantities owing to his not having the licence. Therefore he hoped the application would be granted. The applicant's evidence had been uncontradicted, and the Bench must decide on the merits of the case. The Chief Constable contended that before the license could be granted the landlord must give permission. Mr Hughes said that when the Chief Constable gave an authority for that extraordinary assertion he would reply to it. He added that the license was only for a year. He hoped it would be granted as an experiment, and the Bench could use their discretion at the end of the year when a renewal was applied for. The Committee deliberated in private and on entering court, the Mayor said the licenses would be granted with the exception of the license to sell beer to be consumed off the premises
CN 4.9.1896


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