I have sorted out what information I can find:
Directories are in black type and the date is publication date and not survey date, so possibly refer to a year earlier. Dates from newspapers, which would be correct are in red
The establishment was originally a beerhouse, and continually tried to obtain a spirit licence, but, mainly due to opposition from the Alma Inn, applications were refused. But, as Lyn said, it later seems to have just been an off licence. This would I think have been from at least 1940, as after that time beerhouses were named in directories and the name Dew drop is never listed.
The first mention I can find of the pub is when Ellen Kent applied on 21.8.1857 for a licence to sell alcohol at the Dew Drop Inn. It is not clear whether this was the first application for a licence there , or whether Ellen was given one. However Thomas Kent was the licensee there in 1865, when he unsuccessfully applied for a spirits licence. He died in may 1866 and in 1868 the licence was awarded to John Keogan (listed in newspaper as John Cogan in august 1868) His beerhouse licence was renewed (reported as John Krogem) in august 1869. Frederick wood was licensee from at least August 1870 when he unsuccessfully applied for a spirit licence. In January 1876 he brought charges against a brewer who lived opposite for assault on himself and his wife. But a directory dated 1876 lists the landlord as James Brown, and James continues there till 1896. In October 1882 an inquest was held there on Robert Bishton from Inkerman St, who committed suicide. In 1897 Mrs Mary Bevan is listed as landlady, and in April and September 1898 Joseph Collins is accused of selling alcohol to a drunken person, but is aquitted, and continues there till 1904. A floral society was formed in August 1897. It is not clear who was in charge then, but it sounds a bit more like a woman’s idea.
In 1905 George H Bennett was landlord, and in September 1907 Edward Colling Cole, described as formerly the manager of the pub, was accused of walking off with £4.11.6 pence from the Dew Drop Sick & dividend society, but was sympathetically treated on condition that he returned the funds, as he explained that his wife had walke doff with the takings and society money while he was at the brewery resigning his post
Full directory listings are below:
1867 Thomas Kent
1868 John Keogan
1872-1873 Frederick wood
1876 – 1896 James Brown
1897 Mrs Mary Bevan
1899 -1904 Joseph Collins
1905 George H.Bennett
1908 James Berry
1910-1923 Joseph Armstrong
1932 -1933 Mrs Minnie Amelia Gurley
1936-1943 Arthur Joseph Blake
1944-1947 Mrs Susannah Elizabeth Davies
1949-1955 Frank Arch
1956 Mrs Elsie L.Watkins
1957-1958 Mrs E.R.Chandler
1961 No. 96 not listed
