19 Frogmore Street
About the Building | Recent History | Previous Occupiers | Other Information
| Address: | 19 Frogmore Street |
| Present Occupier: | Nicholls Department Store |
| Present Owner: | |
| Ground Floor: | |
| Other Floors: | |
| Date when first used by present occupier: |
About the Building
2013: MCC Planning No: DC/2013/00492. Final approval for Alteration to Shopfront granted to W. M. Nicholls & Co. (including confirmation of discharge of conditions 7 & 8 relating to Listed Building consent) issued to W. M. Nicholls & Co. 17/08/2015. The conditions specified the use of 2 coats undercoat & topcoat of Farrow & Ball “Hardwick White No.5”. Also the windows should be of 6.4mm laminated and 6.0mm K Toughened glass, double glazed. [See also DC/2013/00491 below]
2013: MCC Planning No: DC/2013/00491. Initial approval for Alterations to Shopfront granted to W. M. Nicholls 19/11/2013 subject to discharge of conditions. [See also DC/2013/00492 above].
2001: MCC Planning No: M06255 Alt. Ref. No: DC/2001/00727. Approval for demolition of Boundary wall issued to W. M. Nicholls & Co. 21/12/2001.
1952: No 18 Listed Building Grade II No. 86883 ( Building Joined to No.19)
-this building was Grade II listed on 4th March 1952
https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300086883-18-frogmore-street-abergavenny
1915: This was purpose built for the Post Office in 1915. The new telephone exchange was installed on 15 May 1915 (3 positions fitted for 200 subscribers on a C B S multiple switchboard) In 1950, a manual exchange from Norwich was renovated, modified and installed with 11 positions and 820 subscribers at 55 Frogmore Street (see entry). The Post Office moved to its present site on Nevill Street in December 1968, before moving there were 20 positions and 1650 subscribers. By 1984, there were 20,562 working lines connected to the new Abergavenny Exchange in Castle street/Nevill Street.
‘Norman Shaw streaky bacon effect’ (l Hurley)
Recent History
2018: MCC Planning No: DC/2018/00202. Listed Building Consent granted to W.M. Nicholls & Co. for a new opening to be created in the party wall between No.18 & 19. Approval issued 10/05/2018.
Previous Occupiers
| Year | Name | Detail | Source |
| 2006 | Nicholls | Opening of Coffee Shop. Advertising for Staff | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1996 – 2000 | Nicholls | Department Store | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1993 | Nicholls & Co | Department Store. New shopfront. | MCC Planning No. DC/1993/00457 |
| 1991 | Robert Price | Builders’ Merchants | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1989 | Robert Price | DIY | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1987 | Robert Price | DIY Centre. Newspaper article announcing opening. | Gwent Gazette 26/03/1987 |
| 1970-1980 | Co-operative Retail Society | Supermarket | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1970 | Co-operative Retail | Supermarket | Local knowledge |
| 1960 | Telephone Exchange | Abergavenny Telephone Exchange | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1937 | Post Office (Main) | Kelly | |
| 1934 | Post Office (Main) | Kelly | |
| 1930 | Post Office (Main) | Car/Npt & Dis | |
| 1926 | Post Office (Main) | Kelly | |
| 1923 | Post Office (Main) | Kelly | |
| 1920 | Post Office (Main) | Kelly | |
| 1915 | Post Office (Main) | Kelly | |
| 1910 | Robert Isaac Houlson | Photographer & Cycle Agent | Kelly |
| 1909 | Robert Isaac Houlson | Photographer & Cycle Agent | Kelly |
| 1906 | Robert Isaac Houlson | Photographer & Cycle Agent | Kelly |
| 1901 | Robert Isaac Houlson | Photographer & Cycle Agent | Kelly |
| 1895 | Robert Isaac Houlson | Photographer & Cycle Agent | Kelly |
| 1891 | Robert Isaac Houlson | Photographer & Cycle Agent | Kelly |
| 1879 | J G Price (died 1880) | Solicitor & Commissioners for Oaths | Thacker |
| 1877 | J G Price (died 1880) | Solicitor & Commissioners for Oaths & private residence | Owen |
| 1875 | J G Price (died 1880) (son of below) | Solicitor & Commissioners for Oaths & private residence | Mer & Croc |
| 1871 | J G Price (died 1873) | Solicitor & Commissioners for Oaths & private residence | Kelly |
| 1865 | J G Price (died 1873) | Solicitor & Commissioners for Oaths & private residence | Webster |
| 1862 | J G Price (died 1873) | Solicitor & Commissioners for Oaths & private residence | Morris & Co |
| 1858 | J G Price (died 1873) | Solicitor & Commissioners for Oaths & private residence | Slater |
| 1851 | Philip Price | Solicitor & farmer employing 2 men | Census |
| 1844 | Philip Price | Solicitor & farmer employing 2 men | Slater |
| 1835 | Philip Price | Solicitor & farmer employing 2 men | Pigot |
Other Information
Large amount of documentary evidence on separate sheet relating to 17, 18,& 19.
2013: MCC Planning No: DC/2013/00592. Approval for installation of Banner Flags approved for W. M. Nicholls & Co. 19/11/2013. Agreed Specification: Uncoated 200 Denier Nylon Flagcloth supported on a vertical wall mounted channel with 500mm long horizontal to hanging rail extending from the face of the building. Lettering to be ‘ NICHOLLS JEWELLERY’ OR ‘NICHOLLS ABERGAVENNY’ Illuminated by Ansell 70 watt Directional Spotlights used as an uplighter wall mounted below each flag.
1915: The Abergavenny Chronicle printed an article describing the formal opening of the new Post Office on 15th May 1915. Whilst much of the work of the old office in Cross Street had already been transferred, the article reported that the new Frogmore Street Office was formally opened by the mayor (Alderman Z. Wheatley), wearing his chain of office, accompanied by the Postmaster (Mr W. L. Jones) and other civic dignitaries. As part of the ceremony, the Mayor purchased the first stamp and posted the first letter from the new establishment. He also sent the first telegram addressed to His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace. Mr Wheatley read out the contents of the telegram for all to hear. “The Mayor, in opening the new Post Office desires to send the first telegram to your Majesty on behalf of the Borough of Abergavenny, expressing their loyalty to the Throne and praying for a speedy and successful termination of the war in which the boys of Abergavenny are taking part and willingly laying down their lives for King and country.” It was reported that there was warm applause from those present. Mr W. L. Thomas then bought the first Postal Order which was sent to the Monmouthshire Benevolent Institution.[Source: Abergavenny Chronicle 21/05/1915].
1901: The property was occupied by Mr Robert J Houlson (Age 52) with his wife Elizabeth J Houlson (Age 53), son Herbert R Houlson (Age 28) together with two daughters and three Boarders. Robert Houlson described himself as working from home as a Shopkeeper whilst his son was a Cycle Agent. [Source: 1901 Census ].
1895: Advertisement for R.I Houlson Photographic Studio [Source: ALHS Survey 1980]
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