47 Frogmore Street
About the Building | Recent History | Previous Occupiers | Other Information
| Address: | 47 Frogmore Street |
| Present Occupier: | Formerly Old Fountain Inn. Baileys Department store : Closed April 2019. In 2020 windows used for display of furniture from Timothy Oulton. Was part of Richard’s Department store. |
| Present Owner: | |
| Ground Floor: | |
| Other Floors: | |
| Date when first used by present occupier: |
About the Building
Edwardian imposed on an old shell. (l Hurley)
23 interior walls were removed in 1967/68 to make a new department store.
A fire broke out on the 10th November 2024 and destroyed the entire building. It was later demolished.
The photo was taken on the 11th November 2024.
Recent History
2023 Oct: Magic Cottage Charity shop. [Streetview]
2020 : sometime during this pandemic year, the windows of the ex Richards Department Store was used for display of furniture from Timothy Oulton (Clearance) (shop in Mill Street) [ALHSSurvey 1980+].
2018 May: Bailey’s [Streetview].
2017 Apr: Baileys {Streertview].
2015: Bailey’s Department Store from approx 2015 – April 2019 : (part of Baileys Garage and DIY Store on Brecon Rd) : possibly closed due to ongoing roadworks and pedestrianisation of lower end of Frogmore Street which had started in 2018 and still going on mid 2019.[ALHS Survey 1980+].
2015: Richards Department Store. [Streetview].
Previous Occupiers
| Year | Name | Detail | Source |
| 2010 | Richards | Department Store | Streetview |
| 2009 | Richards | Department Store | Streetview |
| 1956 – 1957 | White Williams & Co. Leicester Temperance Building Society & Richards | Ironmongers & Financial Services | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1954 | White, Williams & Co Insurance & Richards | Insurance agents and Ironmongers | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1952 | Richards | Listed as Richards ironmongers at No. 47 | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1948 | F W Richards | Ironmongers etc. | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1947 | White Williams & Co | Office | Rate book |
| 1942 | White | Accountants. Advert. for shorthand typist | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1938 | F W Richards | Advert. for Pye Radios plus other radios | ALHS Survey 1980 |
| 1937 | Fenwick William Richards | Ironmonger (moved from 53/54) | Kelly |
| 1926 | White Williams & Co Henry Reuben Jackson |
Chartered Accountants | Kelly |
| 1905 | Demolished & rebuilt | George Hotel | Kelly |
| 1901 | Prop: Charles Parry | Old Fountain Inn | Kelly |
| 1891 | Prop: Charles Parry | Old Fountain Inn | Kelly |
| 1879 | Prop: John Parry | Old Fountain Inn | Thacker |
| 1877 | Prop: John Parry | Old Fountain Inn | Owen |
| 1875 | Prop: John Parry | Old Fountain Inn | Mer & Croc |
| 1871 | Prop: William James | Old Fountain Inn | Kelly |
| 1865 | Prop: David Williams | Old Fountain Inn | |
| 1862 | Prop: David Williams | Old Fountain Inn | Morris & Co |
| 1858 | Prop: David Williams | Old Fountain Inn | Slater |
| 1850 | Prop: Thomas Watkins | Old Fountain Inn | Pigot |
| 1844 | Prop: Thomas Watkins | Old Fountain Inn | Slater |
| 1835 | Prop: Thomas Watkins | Old Fountain Inn | Pigot |
| 1822 | Prop: William Evans | Old Fountain Inn | Pigot |
Other Information
2012: The closure of the Richards Store was reported in a September edition of the South Wales Argus. In the article the then owner Mr John Harrison of Beaufort explained that he had taken over the popular store in 1996 having bought the business from the family of the late Oen Richards whose father started the firm in 1909. Mr Harrison’s wife and three daughters had helped run the store which at various times had sold china, gifts, toys, babywear, cookware, tools, electrical goods, gardening equipment & household items. Mr Harrison explained that he wanted to retire but in the current economic conditions and competition from the internet, his daughters did not want to carry on the business. The store closure was planned for 15th September 2012. [South Wales Argus 05/09/2012]
1959: Advert. for clerk to “apply in own handwriting” [ALHS Survey 1980]
See also entries for no 46. 1938 – 2015 Richard’s
1916: In an article in the Abergavenny edition of the Weekly Argus in 1986 it was reported that Richards Store in Abergavenny had been part of the town for 77 years. Originally founded by F.W. Richards in 1909 in Market Street he moved to Frogmore Street in 1916 and then in 1925 to Nos. 46 & 47. [Weekly Argus 08/05/1986 P6]
A picture of the Old Fountain Inn is in the Abergavenny Museum 1834 map.
1907: A very large funeral was reported in the South Wales Argus for Mr. W.Denner, Proprietor of the George Hotel. [South Wales Argus 16/04/1907].
1901: The Old Fountain Inn and dwelling house and adjoining shop were sold at auction at the Swan Hotel on Tuesday 4th June to Mr. E. A. Johnson, Architect for the sum of £900. [ South Wales Weekly Argus and Monmouthshire Advertiser 08/06/1901P7].
1888: The pub was put up for sale. The particulars include ‘in the occupation of Mr John Parry as yearly tenant, and comprising: Parlour, kitchen, Tap room with bar, Bagatelle room, three bedrooms and cellar, together with yard, shed and stabling at the rear.[ALHS Survey 1980].
More information about the hostelry can be found in the following publication: OLDING Frank, “Abergavenny Pubs”, The History Press, 2005 Reprint 2024, P61.
If you have any further information about this property please email alhsresearch@email.com