2 and 3 Frogmore Street
About the Building | Recent History | Previous Occupiers | Other Information
| Address: | 2 and 3 Frogmore Street |
| Present Occupier: | Magic Cottage charity |
| Present Owner: | |
| Ground Floor: | Charity shop |
| Other Floors: | Charity shop & Storage |
| Date when first used by present occupier: | January 2025 |
About the Building
2023: Planning Application approving vacation of premises and removal of external ATM, signage and marketing and associated making good issued to HSBC March 2023. [Source: MCC Planning Application No: DM/2023/000143 Alt.Ref: PP-11816890].
1998:Planning Application approving the repositioning of Existing Thro’ the Wall ATM to Existing Bank premises granted to Midland Bank and issued in June 1998 [Source: MCC Planning No: M02373 Alt. Ref: DC/1998/00300].
1977: Planning Application issued to Midland Bank in October for a minor extension to the building. The extension was to provide additional space at the rear of the Bank. [Source MCC Planning No. 06542 Alt. Ref: DC/1977/01040]. No plan published.
1924/1929: This is probably an early Victorian classical building, but crudely done. The lower part was rebuilt between 1924 & 1929. [Source: ALHS Survey 1980].
1886: An advertisement of 1886 (copy in Abergavenny Museum)shows a lively skyline with three small pediments and urns at the corners which were replaced at some time with a heavy cornice, which was present in 1979 but since altered. [Source: ALHS Survey 1980].
1863: These two buildings were advertised by Messrs. Jackson, Neale & Co. for sale by Auction to take place on 25th June 1863 at the Angel Hotel.
Lot 1 was building No.3 which was in the occupation of James Jones, Currier. The premises was described as a very large shop with a frontage of 27ft; private entrance, large parlour, good kitchen, four good bedrooms, two large attics and an underground cellar under the whole of the building. There was also a large scouring room and a convenient yard with entrance from Lion Street. In addition there were two sheds one of which was used for offices and the other equipped with an 80 gallon copper boiler. [Source: Hereford Times 13/06/1863]. In addition to the sale of the property, the contents of the Currier’s shop were also put up for auction. Details are shown in the Other Information section.
Lot 2 was building No.2 which was in the occupation of Mr Philip Williams (Tenant). The building was described as a good house and shop adjoining No.3. The premises comprised shop, sitting room, two bedrooms, two attics and underground cellar. [Source: Hereford Times 13/06/1863].
Recent History
2025: From approximately January 2025 : temporary home of Magic Cottage charity shop (previously situated in the old Richards store in Frogmore Street – the shop was totally destroyed by fire on 10 December 2024).[Source: ALHS Survey 1980+].
2023: Closed 18th April 2023 : HSBC (once known as Midland Bank). This branch of HSBC had been present on this site since April 1913.[Source: ALHS Survey 1980+].
(Part of a closure of 114 branches announced for 2023 and following on from a previous closure of 69 branches in 2022)
2022: Planning Application approved for HSBC and issued in April 2022 for the replacement of ATM and signage. [Source: MCC Planning No. DM/2022/00593 Alt. Ref: PP-11196950].
Previous Occupiers
| Year | Name | Detail | Source |
| 1999 – 2023 | HSBC Bank PLC | Midland Bank rebranded HSBC (see also Other Information) | https://www.about.hsbc.co.uk/history-timeline] |
| 1980 – c1999 | Midland Bank Ltd | Local Knowleddge | |
| 1923 -1979 | Midland Bank Ltd | ALHS Survey 1980 | |
| 1947 | Midland Bank Ltd | Rate book | |
| 1937 | Midland Bank Ltd | Private residence for Charles T Annistone, Manager | Kelly |
| 1934 | Midland Bank Ltd | Kelly | |
| 1930 | Midland Bank Ltd | Car/Npt & Dis | |
| 1926 | Midland Bank Ltd | Kelly | |
| 1923 | Midland Bank Ltd | Kelly | |
| 1920 | London Joint City & Midland Bank | Manager Percy Gibbs | Kelly |
| 1913 | The London City & Midland Bank Ltd | The bank opened April 1913. Manager Mr Percy Gibbs | Western Mail Advertisement 22/04/1913 |
| 1910 | Wildings Ltd | Clothiers | Kelly |
| 1906 | Wildings Ltd | Clothiers | Kelly |
| 1901 | Joseph Strawson | Milliner & Ladies Outfitters | Kelly |
| 1895 | Wildings | Gentlemen’s Outfitters | Kelly |
| 1891 | Wildings | Gentlemen’s Outfitters | Kelly |
| 1886 | Prop W C Williams | General Drapery | |
| 1884 | Wildings | Gentlemen’s Outfitters | Kelly |
| 1879 | No 2: Sarah Mitchell No 3: Thomas Player |
Fancy Depository Grocer |
Thacker |
| 1877 | No 2: Sarah Mitchell No 3: Thomas Player |
Fancy Depository Grocer |
Owen |
| 1875 | No 2: Sarah Mitchell No 3: Thomas Player |
Fancy Depository Grocer |
Mer & Croc |
| 1871 | No 2: Sarah Mitchell No 3: Thomas Player |
Fancy Depository Grocer |
Kelly |
| 1865 | No 2: Sarah Michael No 3: Albert Freeman |
Fancy Depository Grocer |
Webster |
| 1863 | James Jones Currier Business Closed Down | Both properties offered for sale by auction | Hereford Times Advertisement 13/06/1863 |
| 1862 | No 2 & 3:James Jones | Boot & shoe maker | Morris & Co |
| 1851 | James Jones | Currier & leather dress | Census |
Other Information
1999: The name Midland Bank was fully re-branded as HSBC Bank and all Branch names were changed accordingly. [Source: https://www.about.hsbc.co.uk/history-timeline]
1992: June 25th Midland Bank became part of HSBC Holdings PLC [Source: https://www.about.hsbc.co.uk/history-timeline]
1991: An article was published in the South Wales Argus stating in June that workmen working on the replacement of old timbers on the top floor of Midland Bank had come across a record book dating back to 1913 when the Bank first set up on the site. Amongst other interesting facts, the book revealed that fifty acres of land, together with cottages, cost £8,000.[ Source: Argus Abergavenny News: 06/06/1991P1].
1981: Planning approval issued to Midland Bank in March for the installation of a new Double Sided Hanging sign [Source: MCC Planning No: 14713 Alt. Ref: DC/1981/00203].
1901: No.3 was occupied by Mr Joseph Strawson (aged 44) with his wife Martha (aged 39) and three sons, a boarder and a Servant. Mr Strawson was described as Keeper of a Drapery Shop. [Source:1901 Census]
1900: The ‘Wanted’ column of Abergavenny Chronicle printed a request for ‘A well educated Youth and Young Lady as Apprentices to the Drapery – J. Strawson 2&3 Frogmore Street’ [Abergavenny Chronicle 16/03/1900].
1883: An advertisement appeared in the local press for an ‘Experienced Milliner and Showroom Hand’ competent to take and execute orders. Particulars to be supplied to Mr W.C. Williams at No.3 Frogmore Street [Source: South Wales Daily News 24/03/1883]. (N.B There were many other requests for assistants published in the local press during Mr Williams tenure at this property).
1863: Buildings 2 & 3 advertised for sale by auction. See About the Building for details.
1863: The contents and stock of Mr James Jones, Currier were also advertised for auction. The auction was organised to take place ‘at the shop’ including stock in trade, utensils and fixtures, household furniture and effects. The stock was described as including butt, insole, Cordovan, roans and other types of leather as well as nails and sprigs, hemp, lasts and grinders. Fixtures for sale were described as beam and counter scales and weights, currier’s table, oil cisterns, counters, desk, gas fittings etc.[Source: Advertisement published in Hereford Times 13/06/1863]. (N.B Butt is a high quality, dense and uniform leather ideal for making durable items such as belts and straps. Cordovan Leather is a rare, non creasing leather taken from the rear quarters of a horse. Known for its high gloss and deep colour it was used for luxury shoes. Roan leather is derived from sheep traditionally dyed red and often used for book-binding).
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