18 Cross Street

About the building

From Abergavenny Local History Survey 1980

Built by W H Smith in 1926 (source : W H Smith’s Estate Department). Shop interior refitted after 1966.

Recent history

 

At time of original Abergavenny Local History Survey (1980), the ground floor was occupied by  W H Smith (as it had been since 1926)

At that time, on the first floor was Malcolm Lewis “The Welsh Gallery” (wedding photographer  (he also did photos for Abergavenny Chronicle;  and art gallery);   on second floor – Raymond Cox had a 3 year lease (assume this was accommodation)

By 1991* there is an advert in the Abergavenny Chronicle in this year for Family Value Discount Store selling “bargain home goods, toys, etc (an early “pound shop”).  They are still advertising in 1993 and in 2000 are advertising for an assistant manager and cashier.    (*W H Smith’s moved to current Frogmore Street premises in ???)

From : ?? to September 2023 : Baroque Boutique : Occasion wear for weddings/events/mother of brides etc.  also included hairdressing salon for some of the time.   Present on this site for more than 10 years

From approx April 2024 : Sigma Kitchens & Bedroom Showroom  “Brand New Kitchen Displays”  “Brand New Fitted Bedroom Displays”.   Moved from 37a Frogmore Street

Previous occupiers

Other information

For more images from 18 Cross street click  * here *.

 

From Abergavenny Local History  Survey 1980
In 1920 : Manager of Lloyd’s Bank –  Stanley Rawlins, Treasurer to Rural District Council & Highway Purposes

In 1906 : Manager of Capital & Counties Bank – Edgar Huber Bretherton (Treasurer for Highway Purposes)

In 1891 : Manager of Capital & Counties Bank – Edward James Baker

In 1879 : Manager of Gloucestershire Bank – Mr E S Baker

In 1871 : James H Farquhar, Solicitor at British Empire & Mutual Life Insurance

In 1865 and 1858 : Manager of National Provincial Bank of England – Edward Price

W H Smith’s was formerly at 13 Cross Street where they had taken over from C J Fricker, Bookseller & Stationer (source: Advert 1906).  Prior to that, they had been at the L & NWR Station (Abergavenny Directory and Year Book and photos)

There is a photograph of the Capital & Counties Bank (reference A/157=1979. Official Handbook to Abergavenny c.1902/3)

On p.116 quote “was established in 1834 and now has a large business in London and the provinces with a paid up capital of £1,300,000 and resreve fund of £850,000.  The Abergavenny Branch was opened in 1872”

 

Source : Adverts in Abergavenny Chronicle

1986 : ad for Malcolm Lewis, Photographer (1st floor)

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