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Pub Definitions

Vivienne14

Vivienne14

Kentish Brummie Moderator
Staff member
These were the public house definitions used in 1825 (from the Kentish Chronicle). These definitions were introduced in the Bill For The Better Classification of Public Houses. The Bill distinguished between Hotels, Taverns, Spirit Vaults and Beer Houses. It was supposed to help with their regulation and control. And would be used to deal with crimes committed within them. Don't think it did much to stop people drinking though. Viv.

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thats very interesting info viv thanks...i shall print that off
for future ref...

lyn
 
This was 1825. However the 1830 beer act certainly decreed that beerhouses could not sell spirits. Indeed, that was the main purpose of the introduction of the act , to remove the drunkenness caused by "gin palaces". That is not to say that it succeeded in reducing drunkenness, as apprently many houses holding beer-only licences, later applied and succeeded in gaining a spirits licence. The 1872 Licensing Act introduced the following licences:
An Alehouse licence. Rather confusingly this allowed sale of all types of alcohol, but only for consumptionon the premises.
A Beerhouse licence. this only allowed sale of beer or cider fro consumption on the premises
A Ciderhouse licence. This allowed sale only of cider for consumption on the premises.
A refreshment house licence. Allowed sale of wine to accompany meals on the [premises.
In addition a licence was required to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises: specifically beer, weak beer, cider, wine, spirits and "sweets 2 (these were home made wines not confectionary)
There were also restricted hours licences (ie not on a Sunday, or having more restricted hours than a normal licence) and licences for sale of beer in billiard halls and licences for allowing musical performances.
The avbove is from "Licenced to Sell" by Geoff Brandwood et al
 
Thanks Mike. Additionally the 1825 Bill restricted the number of public houses in a locality. For every 1,000 inhabitants there could only be one hotel, one tavern, one spirit vault and two beer houses. Presumably this changed with time. And my guess is that there were probably more 'unofficial' beer houses than was restricted by the Bill, given that people would rather drink (small) beer than contaminated water. Viv.
 
I found the information on pub licences very interesting but does anyone know if we had any 'cider houses' here or were these just restricted to the apple growing regions.
 
Wasn't the Greyhound in Holloway Head a cider house. Certainly around 1970 the Bluebell near Earlswood was. I remember once arranging to meet some friends there and, because I was early, went for a walk along the canal. Unfortunately there was a weak point on the edge of the towpath , I stepped on it and ended almost up to my waist in the canal. When I got to the pub to meet my friends, no-one would believe I had not already had a few pints of scrumpy, thus causiong my acciden t
 
Oh Mike - how did you get home?
Cider's always been my tipple of choice from my teenage years but in those days there wasn't the choice there is now. I think in the 1960's there was only Strongbow (bit dry for me) and Woodpecker (bit sweet and fizzy) now there's a real selection. I never like the really strong stuff.
 
mikejee said:
Wasn't the Greyhound in Holloway Head a cider house. Certainly around 1970 the Bluebell near Earlswood was. I remember once arranging to meet some friends there and, because I was early, went for a walk along the canal. Unfortunately there was a weak point on the edge of the towpath , I stepped on it and ended almost up to my waist in the canal. When I got to the pub to meet my friends, no-one would believe I had not already had a few pints of scrumpy, thus causiong my acciden t
Click to expand...

and that mike is our giggle for the day:D:D

lyn
 
Lyn
I drove there. And drove back , after I had at least partially dried myself in the Bluebell to much hilarity
 
hey rob i reckon we should all go to the bluebell and drag mike back there:D will make a change from frothy falling down the step at the bull:D ps dont forget the bull on sat if you can make it:)

lyn
 
It is never necessary to drag me to a pub, unless, of course, the only drink it serves is Fosters, in which case you would need to drug me to get me there
 
Here's another little snippet going way, way back.

In 1655 Oliver Cromwell and the Council of State issued instructions for the improvement of people's moral behaviour in the counties. Contained within these instructions it said "Allow no licensing of ale houses except those of good repute which are necessary to lodge travellers". That must have narrowed down the choice. And who decided on the definition
of "good repute " ? Presumably the Crown Digbeth and the Golden Lion at Cannon Hill Park would have fallen into that category - unless of course they were used as houses at that time.

Viv.
 
mikejee said:
Wasn't the Greyhound in Holloway Head a cider house. Certainly around 1970 the Bluebell near Earlswood was. I remember once arranging to meet some friends there and, because I was early, went for a walk along the canal. Unfortunately there was a weak point on the edge of the towpath , I stepped on it and ended almost up to my waist in the canal. When I got to the pub to meet my friends, no-one would believe I had not already had a few pints of scrumpy, thus causiong my acciden t
Click to expand...
I would go in the Greyhound after work with a work Buddy Alexander Lock Mitchel (leggo) in the 70,s the gaffer was a real jerk I think his name was John,. Also would go to the Bluebell as that was on my side of town
 
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