Situated between Hewlett Road and Priory Street the Wiltshire Brewery once brewed its own beer (Leacey). Why it should have connections with Wiltshire is a mystery; perhaps the previous owner to Leacey was named Wiltshire. An early photograph (date unrecorded) shows an elaborate advertisement for ‘Stroud Brewery Co’s Celebrated Ales & Stout’ painted between the two front windows by a very talented signwriter. Until 2015 it was the headquarters of the R.A.O.B. At that time, apart from replacement double glazing the building had not been structurally altered – even the old metal railings had survived at the front of the old pub.
Mary Hayden Leacey was the owner of the Wiltshire Brewery as listed in the 1891 licensing and rates book. It was licensed as a beer house, free of brewery tie, and had an annual rateable value of £17.0s.0d. Twelve years later the Wiltshire Brewery had been sold to the Stroud Brewery and the rates per annum had increased significantly by twelve pounds and ten shillings to £29.10s.0d.
Gloucestershire Echo, Wednesday 17th March 1948 – 12 months of local theft: Five previous convictions, four of them for stealing, were mentioned by Detective Inspector Price when Robert Irving Buck (27), was sent to prison for 12 months for breaking into the Wiltshire Brewery Inn, Cheltenham, on 16th February and stealing a gold watch, other articles and 8s. in money.
Gloucestershire Echo, Saturday 18th April 2015 – Dwindling numbers blame for club closure: People staying in and watching TV have been blamed for the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes deciding to call it a day in Cheltenham. For four decades, the society has provided friendship and raised money for charities in Gloucestershire. But it has struggled to maintain numbers and the club will close at the end of May. Secretary Chris Shepard said: “There has been a lack of support from people using the club. People seem to be happier staying at home and watching TV. We have been here for 42 to 43 years and it is very sad.” The building, which belongs to the RAOB club, will be sold.
Landlords at the Wiltshire Brewery Inn include: (additional information courtesy Alan Jones)
1844 P.Leacey (Wiltshire Brewery, Sydney Place)
1847 Hunt & Co directory Philip Leacey is listed under “Beer Retailers” for “Hewlet place” [sic]
1848 Edwards P. Leacey is listed under “Beer Retailers” still for “Hewlet place” [sic]; but J.P. Lacey [sic] is listed under “Brewers” for “Wiltshire Brewry” [sic] – someone didn’t have spell-check on!
1850, 1851 and 1852 Edwards Same as above (but without spelling mistakes)
1863 P. Leacey (Brewery, Hewlett Place)
1870,1883 J.P. Leacey – listed as a brewer in 1883
1891 Mary Jane Hayden Leacey
1903 William John White
Also, later on Mr. W.M. Telling is listed at the address in the 1904, 1907 and 1908 Annuaires
Mr. S. Best in the 1909 and 1910 Annuaires
1911 and 1912 Built-Leonard F. Cole is listed for the Wiltshire Brewery
1913, 1915 Looker-On and 1922 Built Leonard Mr. W. J. Edwards
1924, 1929 and 1933 Built-Leonard W or Walter Robins (Walter in 1929)
1934 and 1937 Built-Leonard L. D. Lewis
1939 Edwin Percival Young
1938 and 1952 Kelly’s Edwin Percival Young