Three Coffee Cups Palace, Swindon.

[toby webb]

   In trying to find what business replaced this Coffee Palace which stood at no. 92, Regent St., Swindon, I find that numbering in Censuses & Directories is confusing and not helpful.
   In 1871,1881,1891,1901 and North Wilts Directories of 1908 & 1920, The Eagle Inn & the Artillery Arms are at no. 7 & 25 respectively.
   In 1871 numbers on the east side of Regent St. were odd and even numbers were on the west side, so the Fox at No.2 is on one side and the Eagle at No 7 is on the other. However the Fox has become No.88 in 1881. This suggests that numbers were altered between 1871 & 1881, but why not all.
   Woolworths opened on 12 September 1914 at No. 23 - 25 but the store appears as No.92 in 1920. Two doors away Marks & Spencers were at No.90. ( I don't remember them like that.)
   Burtons of which there was one on the corner of Fleet St. & Bridge St. and another in Regent St, (? No.) doesn't appear in  either NWDs of 1920 or 1953 so they don't help but I include some nos. from 1920 which may. S.B.Cole 5 & 6  : Morses 10,11,& 12 : Singer Sewing M/c 19b : Halfords 19c : Lott ironmogers 50 & 51 :National Provincial Bank 56 : Home & Colonial Tea 58 : Anstiss 73a, 74 & 75 :  Mills & Merrick 86 : Lloyds Bank 93 & 94.
     Perhaps someone with a long memory of Regent Street may be able to make some sense.
     Thanks, Toby.

[hanes teulu]

On the 1901 Census No 92 Regent Street, Swindon is ticked "Not in occupation".

In 1911 it is occupied - but cannot post details. The business covers Nos 92 and 93.

Are you trying

[hanes teulu]

In 1891 the occupier is Samuel B Fox, age 51, occupation "Refreshment House Keeper & Passage Broker".

The word "Coff" has been written in above the original entry for occupation.

[toby webb]

Thanks for your interest hanes teulu.
To put the record straight, in 1891 it is Samuel B(eart) FOSS and he had previously had coffee shops in Bridge Street & Wood Street.
     Not sure what you mean by "Are you trying". The point I am trying to make is that what is numbered 92  in 1871 may have a different number in 1881. I am hoping therefore that someone familiar with the layout of Regent Street, say 50 years ago, may be able to shed some light. T

[hanes teulu]

The "Are you trying" should have been deleted. I had an afterthought but decided not to pursue.

[youngtug]

Although I was somewhat familiar with Regent St, 50+ years ago I am afraid that I never thought to look at the numbers of the properties.

[youngtug]

Burtons, corner of Bridge St, & Fleet St,; https://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/6470748079
The 2 upper stories was the Lucania billiard hall.

[youngtug]

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/a06c7559-aabf-41f2-9be6-5e909f650a75

[hanes teulu]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/3694243595/in/photostream/

Is that No 92 on the right?