Pubs and Breweries in Gloucestershire Past and Present
London Wine & Spirit Vaults, 224-226 High Street, Cheltenham
Not to be confused with the London Ale & Porter stores. The London Wine Vaults, numbered 342-343 High Street in the original address, was located where McDonalds restaurant now stands at 224-226 High Street. The premises was a wine and spirit merchants. Known also as Cook & Witherington a contemporary description of 1870 describes: ‘John Cook. Wholesale and retail wine and spirit merchants. Bass’s and Allsopps Pale Ales. Guinness Extra Stout and Alloa Scotch Ales. Established upwards of 50 years.”
J. Williams is listed as the owner of the London Wine Vaults in the 1891 licensing book. It was licensed as an ale house with a substantial annual rateable value of £127.10s.0d., indicative of its High Street location. The London Wine Vaults was a free house. The splendidly named Charles Witherington was the owner of the London Wine Vaults in 1903. The RV per annum remained at the same value.
Geoff,
I don’t know if this will interest you, but I think I can provide a little more history for the London Wine Vault at 224 – 226 High Street, Cheltenham (where McDonalds is now).
You quote in your listing a description from 1870 for John Cook Wholesale & Retail Wine & Spirit Merchants, which says it was established “upwards of 50 years,” which would put its existence back to pre-1820. Well, I did find an advertisement in the 1852 Annuaire for John Cook Wine & Spirit Merchant 342 High Street (old numbering), which says, “late Wm. Hasell established upwards of thirty years.” And following that up, I found Hasell & Kent listed in the 1842 Annuaire.
It was also later known as Cook & Witherington and indeed you have them listed as landlords in 1891, then just Charles Witherington in 1903 and 1906.
I also found Charles R. Thomas in 1926 & 1928, when it is listed in the Kelly’s Directories as a wine merchants; and Edwin Harry Sheppard in the 1929 Kelly’s Directory (wine merchants); then Arthur C. Green 1930 – 1941 (still listed as a wine merchants).
In the 1942 Kelly’s Directory it is listed as London Wine Vaults with James Brain.
But in 1943 it is listed under Free Houses Ltd.
But that gives it 140+ years trading as a wine merchants and wine vault.
