39 Cross Street
About the Building | Recent History | Previous Occupiers | Other Information
| Address: | 39 Cross Street |
| Present Occupier: | empty for renovations |
| Present Owner: | Plas Gunter Mansion Trust |
| Ground Floor: | |
| Other Floors: | |
| Date when first used by present occupier: |
About the Building
Listed building Grade II listed No: 2404
37-40 Grade II listed on 7th November 1952
See https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300002404-nos37-40-cinsec-cross-street-gwent-abergavenny
The last landlord of The Cardiff Arms went bankrupt in 1907. Hereford & Tredegar Brewery sold the building to Thomas Smith Foster (builder of Fosterville Crescent) with view to conversion into shops & residential premises. It was during this conversion that secret Catholic chapel dating from the 1670s was discovered in the loft (source : Abergavenny Pubs, Frank Olding 2005)
Part of Gunter House see https://www.plasguntermansion.org.uk/
16th century building
This was the main door to the Gunter House
In the 1947 Rate Book there are two tenements at the rear of nos 39 and 39A
(Source : Abergavenny Local History Society Survey 1980)
Recent History
Amatsu Holsitic Health from 2018 to September 2025, moved to The Old Workhouse
From ?? to 2018 : Revue Clothing – moved to 7 Cross St (ex Adela @ 7)
Source : Abergavenny Local History Survey 1980:
From August 1978 – ? date : Mr Terry – Menswear Shop
Date unknown : Gwent Tools – DIY Tool Hire
1967 – ? : Yeoman Miller – Travel Agents
From 1947 – ?date : Mrs Flower (daughter of Mrs Parry) – Baby wear
From 1937 – 1947 : Mrs Parry – Confectioner
Previous Occupiers
| Year | Name | Detail | Source |
| 1970 | See “Recent History” | ||
| 1937 | Mrs Mary Irene Lewis | Confectioner | Kelly |
| 1921 | Miss Probert | Dressmaker & Registry Office | Kelly |
| 1914 | Miss Probert | Dressmaker & Registry Office | Kelly |
| 1910 | Alexander Eames | Gentleman’s Tailor | Kelly |
| 1906 | William Homer & Edward Francis (1906-1907) | Beer Retailer The Cardiff Arms (bankrupt in 1907) Owners in 1907 : Hereford & Tredegar Brewery |
Kelly Abergavenny Pubs Frank Olding |
| 1901 | David James | Beer Retailer – The Cardiff Arms (from 1897) | Kelly |
| 1895 | Samuel Harry Facey | Beer Retailer – The Parrot Inn Owners at different times in 1898 : Mary Phillips, Edwin Johnson, John Jenkins & George Edwards |
Deeds Abergavenny Pubs Frank Olding |
| 1891 | Arthur Davies | Beer Retailer – The Parrot Inn | Kelly |
| 1879 | James Randall | Beer Retailer – The Parrot Inn | Thacker |
| 1877 | James Randall | Beer Retailer – The Parrot Inn | Owen |
| 1871 | Elizabeth Powell | Beer Retailer – The Parrot Inn (owner John Watkins Feb 1867 – 1873) | Kelly Abergavenny Pubs Frank Olding |
| 1865 | William Powell (Jan 1864-Dec 1869 & Dec 1870) +Thomas Powell (common carrier) | Beer Retailer – The Parrot Inn (owner Robert Thomas 1864-Feb 1867) | Webster Abergavenny Pubs Frank Olding |
| 1862 | Robert Thomas | Beer Retailer | Morris & Co |
| 1858 | Robert Thomas | Beer Retailer (from 1856 : owner Mary Thomas 1856-1860) | Slater Abergavenny Pubs Frank Olding |
| 1851 | Robert Thomas (son of Daniel) | Grocer & Tea dealer | Census |
| 1844 | Mary Thomas (wife of Daniel) & Daniel Thomas | Tailor | Slater |
| 1835 | Mary Thomas & Daniel Thomas | Tailor | Pigot |
| 1822 | Mary Thomas & Daniel Thomas | Tailor | Pigot |
Other Information
Images for the Homer family of the Cardiff Arms
Source : Abergavenny Local History Society Survey 1980
Documents and newspaper clippings relating to the Gunter family are housed in the museum
From 1898 – 1907 : Known as the Cardiff Arms
From 1864 – 1898 : Known as the Parrot Inn
In 1822 : Daniel Thomas owned the whole property
Adverts in Abergavenny Chronicle : (these can prove confusing for this property)
ads in 1968/69/71 : Bernard Thorpe & Partners, Estate Agents, plus Monmouthshire Building Society
also in 1969/1970 : advert for Yeomans Miller & Co, Travel Agents
In 1972/1973 : ad for Bryan Searle (carpet retailer) and Yeomans Miller Travel Agents
In 1974 : ad for Yeomans Miller and Bryan Searle (shown as being at nos 30 & 39)
In 1975 : ads for Bryan Searle closing 2 June and moving to Lion Street. Ad for Yeomans Miller
In July 1978 : ad for Mr Terry Menswear “now open” (but see Aug 1979 below)
In November 1978 : ad for Criterion Studios, Photographer (also at no.39A)
In Aug 1979 : ad for Gwent Tools
In 1980/81/82 : ad for Criterion Studios
Further ads for Mr Terry Menswear in 1981/88/89/91 and 1993
In 1996 : ad for Kolvox Leisure – computers – special offer on Sony Playstation
Source : coflein.gov.uk
re nos 37-40 Cross Street (Gunter House) : “One building 16th century rubble stone, stucco, 2 storey. Rear mullion and transome windows. Formerly Parrot Inn. Interior oak, circular stairs. Medieval frescos and carving 16th/17th century plaster ceiling. Wallpaintings; Magi (in oils) on ceiling of private chapel: Graffiti and date 1640. Above window to Cross Street “L.H.S” within rays; cherubs. East wall : date 1640 (Roman figures?). Fragments of floral trellis design”
If you have any further information about this property please email alhsresearch@email.com