7 & 9 Monk Street

About the building

No 9 is up against the Monk’s Gate (East Gate) of the Medieval Town Wall. Source Gwyn Jones 

 

It is attached to St Mary’s Chambers and was in common ownership. It may have been built at the same time, but the frontage has been modernised.

Recent history

2015: January:serious fire burnt out the building and flats above. The Sundarbon restaurant and neighbouring buildings have been shored up with scaffolding and in 2016 began repairs, obstructing the main A40 with one-way working. The Sundarbon restaurant reopened in December 2016.

1993: The Sundarbon, Bengal Cuisine Tandoor Restaurant, celebrating 1st anniversary in October.

1983: Maruf Tandoori restaurant

1979: occupier Mr Thorpe, owner Merton Jones, St Mary’s Chambers. Cartwheel Restaurant, other floors: residence

1967: Cartwheel Restaurant (Abergavenny Chronicle)

1966: Gigg, restaurant.  Source: D Berrington.1954: F j Evans and sons Travel Goods

1964: Property for sale, Freehold shop premises with private living accommodation

 

 

 

 

 

Previous occupiers

Other information

For more images and information about the saddlers click * here *

H Neville, saddler, was also the County Coroner in 1895.

It is said that there were “Saxon arches in the passage way to the back of the shop and an Elizabethan tiled floor in the back room”. There was also a tunnel under the shop leading towards Cross Street which possibly connected to the Old George cellars, but it was believed by some to lead to the Castle.

This building was badly damaged by fire in 2015 and was refurbished during 2015 and 2016.

The restaurant reopened in December 2016.

 

I am, Lesley Ennor, the daughter of Robert Evans (Bob) the Saddler at the above address until 1965, when we emigrated to New Zealand.  My Great Uncle John Roberts established the Saddlery Business in 1897 and then my Grandfather (his nephew) Jim Evans took over the business when he passed away.  Jim died in 1954 when Dad took over. We have a family photo of Uncle John outside the Saddlers Shop.  Only the shop front has changed over the years.

I did some research and before 1897 it was a Fishing Tackle Shop.  There is a tunnel which could be accessed from under the coal shed in the back yard which is supposed to run from St Marys Church to the Castle.  Dad and his brother Francis when down and walked along part of it where a gate stopped them.  Has anyone else been in the tunnel in recent times?

Francis James Evans took over in 1937 when John Roberts his Uncle died and then Jim Evans died in 1952 when my father Bob Evans took over.  I think Dad would have only been 8 in 1937!

To add to the story of the Tunnel under the shop, apparently, it stopped at the Angel Hotel Cellar but I think it may be the pub on the other side and it would mean it took a bend.

Mum was telling me there are Saxon arches in the passage way to the back of the shop and of course the Elizabethan titled floor in the back room.

 

This is Bob Evans outside the shop in 1961, the colour wasn’t too good but its exactly how Dad looked when he was at work.

 

 

This was taken at the Royal Windsor Show, I can remember it was a big deal to go there, Dad also did the local show, Monmouth and Malvern. Please note the address is shown on sign and Dad made the sign himself and the tent and the sign used to live in the passage way at the side of the shop.

[Info and photos from Lesley added 3/2025]

 

 

If you have any further information about this property please email alhs@live.co.uk