59 Cross Street
About the Building | Recent History | Previous Occupiers | Other Information
| Address: | 59 Cross Street |
| Present Occupier: | Regency Indian Restaurant |
| Present Owner: | Same owners as Kings Head Hotel? |
| Ground Floor: | Restaurant |
| Other Floors: | |
| Date when first used by present occupier: | 2016 |
About the Building
Source : Abergavenny Local History Society Survey 1980:
Known as the Golden Fleece Pre 1936 and Bank House from 1936
Building early 19th century. In 1980, the inscription “Thomas & Sons” could still be seen on the side of the house.
Slate roof. Before 1928, the living accommodation was at the back of the shop, with a right of way through the Kings Head arch . After 1928, when the made-in-house trade declined, the family moved on to the first floor. At one time, a bedroom in the Kings Head was taken in exchange for their use of part of no.59’s cellars (source : William Rosser, son of W J Rosser, who lived there as a child).
Recent History
Known as the Golden Fleece pre 1936 and Bank House from 1936Until January 2016, property was a restaurant known as Venue 59 and run in conjunction with the King’s Head Hotel next door at no.60.
In January 2016, Venue 59 “closed for refurbishment” and then re-opened as Regency Indian restaurant, plus all day menu, breakfast, coffees etc during the day. (Not known whether still owned by King’s Head Hotel)
In 1984 : building purchased by Mr Russel Rayner
From 1982 to 1984 : amusement arcade and restaurant
In 1981 the building was empty. It had previously been a laundrette from the 1970s, prior to which it was known as Jones & Co. Keylocks occupied the property for a short time after Jones closed, but they may not have traded there.
Previous Occupiers
| Year | Name | Detail | Source |
| 1970 | See “Recent History” | ||
| 1936 | M T Jones & Co to at least 1947 | Drapers (business had moved from 1 & 2 Cross Street, transferring name “Bank House” | Kelly |
| 1934 | W J Rosser | Drapers | Kelly |
| 1930 | W J Rosser | Drapers | Car/Npt & Dis |
| 1927-8 | W J Rosser | Drapers | Kelly |
| 1923 | W J Rosser | Drapers | Kelly |
| 1920-21 |
Thomas & Sons “Golden Fleece” |
Draper, Milliners & Costumiers | Kelly |
| 1914 |
Thomas & Sons “Golden Fleece” |
Draper, Milliners & Costumiers | Kelly |
| 1910 |
Thomas & Sons “Golden Fleece” |
Draper, Milliners & Costumiers | Kelly |
| 1906 |
Thomas & Sons “Golden Fleece” |
Drapers | Kelly |
| 1901 | Thomas & Sons “Golden Fleece” | Drapers | Kelly |
| 1895 | Thomas & Sons “Golden Fleece” | Drapers | Kelly |
| 1891 | Thomas & Sons “Golden Fleece” | Drapers | Kelly |
| 1884 | Thomas & Sons “Golden Fleece” | Drapers | Kelly |
| 1879 | Thomas & Sons “Golden Fleece” | Linen Drapers | Thacker |
| 1877 | Charles Daniel / John Thomas “The Golden Fleece” | Linen Drapers | Owen |
| 1875 | Charles Daniel | “Golden Fleece” Draper | Mer & Croc |
| 1871 | Charles Daniel | “Golden Fleece” Draper | Kelly |
| 1865 | Charles Daniel | “Golden Fleece” draper, hatter, etc | Webster |
| 1862 | Charles Daniel | “Golden Fleece” draper, hatter, etc | Morris & Co |
| c.1860 | William Watkins | Golden Fleece” linen & wool draper | Record of J Hoskins, builder |
| 1850 | William Watkins | “Golden Fleece” | Pigot |
| 1844 | William Watkins | “Golden Fleece” | Deeds of no.8 |
| 1836 | William Watkins | “Golden Fleece” | Pigot |
| 1822 | John Daniel | Draper | Pigot |
Other Information
More images for the Golden Fleece
From Abergavenny Local History Society Survey 1980:
During the 1920s, and probably before, the first floor was occupied by about 10 women making hats from rabbit skins (about 200 were kept in the garden). They also made hats and children’s clothes from other materials. This trade had faded out by the end of the 1920s.
About 6 girls served in the shop, but this also declined in the early 1930s (source : Mr Rosser)
In 1884, a ram, seeing a reflection of its companions, jumped through the window of the “Golden Fleece” into a display of millinery and drapery
In 1858, Charles Daniel (owner from c.1860s-1877) was in Frogmore Street, number not known)
In 1848, William Watkins (owner from c.1836 to c.1860) also occupied no. 8 Cross Street opposite (source: Deeds of no.8 Cross Street)
An 1840s bill head in the Museum shows the shop was also trading from the “Old King’s Head” at this time
Adverts in Abergavenny Chronicle:
1959/1960/1961/1964 : ads for M Trevor Jones & Co Ltd. Bank House. Bedding & carpets; later ads also for clothing/children’s school clothes
1991 : ad for Peking Chef Chinese Restaurant (at some stage – ? year/date – the owners decamped elsewhere, having become bankrupt and the restaurant closed overnight)
2000 and 2005 : ad for King’s Head Hotel
2006 : ad for Venue 59 – restaurant, part of King’s Head Hotel.
If you have any further information about this property please email alhsresearch@email.com