65 George Street in 1883 to 1892

66 George Street 1890, 1896, 1900, 1904 & 1908

Before the Magistrates on Monday 27th January 1859, David Bowen and eight other licensees, were charged with having their houses open and permitting persons to drink therein, on Christmas Day and Sunday 26th December.
Mr. Bowen asserted that he had been advised by a newly enlisted policeman that the authorities would be lenient over the holiday period. Although at first denying the claim, the un-named constable later admitted that his words could have been interpreted that way.
The police constable was ordered to pay the 5s fine and the Mayor gave notice that he would convict all publicans who were charged with a second offence of this kind.

 On Tuesday 4th March 1913 it was heard that the manager, Mr. Page was paid 22s a week and allowed a 2½ per cent commission on all sales. The brewers, Messrs. Lacons, paid all rates and taxes.
The bar was a roomy one, but very dark and gas lights had to run all day. A room behind was dark and stuffy. The kitchen was a miserable place, dark and damp and provided with a brick floor. Three rooms upstairs were used, two by Mrs. Page and one by a lodger.
Altogether the place was badly ventilated, structurally bad and the accommodation miserable.
Although fully licensed, it was run as a beerhouse.
Within a radius of 300 feet there were eight ale-houses, one beerhouse and two other licenses. Within 600 feet there were 21 licenses, three on licenses and five others.
The Chief Constable was asked it it would be better to close the GRIFFIN rather than this house since it was also badly ventilated. The Chief Constable said they were equally bad.
Messrs Lacon said that it was not custom to take two houses from the same firm in one foul swoop. They would not object to the loss of the GRIFFIN since the Free Trade Tavern did good business.
Licence holder, Mr. Banham said his opinion was that the GRIFFIN did not supply the want at all and the two houses did a different sort of trade. He said that the state of the Free Trade Tavern was very fair and the ceiling heights were higher than many other houses of its class.
Sales for 1910 were 180½ barrels
in 1911, 187½ and
in 1912, 97½
The decline in 1912 being put down to the management.
Average sales were 96 barrels.
Referred to Compensation


Licence renewal refused 11th July 1913.

Licence expired 23rd December 1913