Panevino Italian Restaurant, 43 Frogmore Street, Abergavenny

Image: © Jo and Steve Turner Taken: 25 Jul 2022

This building was said to be built as the George Inn. Gwagle who rent the upper floors claim it to be over 220 years old and Pigot's list a New George Inn in 1791. However it seems all but the façade was rebuilt about 1979-1984. In an 1825 advertisement the building is to let as "Tenement and Dwelling House, called the Little George Inn, with suitable offices, Cellars, and 3 excellent stables". As far as I can tell, the George Inn is not listed in 1871, 1880, 1895 or 1907 (47 Frogmore Street was rebuilt c.1905 as the George Hotel). A photograph dated 1875 or before shows 43 empty. Apparently occupied by 1879 a 1901 directory lists 'Cooke & Davies, tailors & drapers, 1a, Victoria street & 43 Frogmore street'. By 1910 it is split into 43 (right half) and 43A (left half) and carrying the name 'Frogmore Buildings'. I'm not sure how the upper floors were split but 43A seems to have the room with the arched window. Eddie Madge, Photographer was in 43A and Charles Downes Cabinet Maker in 43. By 1912 Edward Harrington, Photographer had replaced Eddie Madge. Jackson & Daly replaced Downes in c.1945. In 1961 Abergavenny & District Co-operative Society are in 43A and when Jackson & Daly closed down in February 1970 the Co-op took over both shops and the arch was filled in. 1972 to 1978 Wasons Decorators Merchants are here and in 1979 Kwik-Save Supermarket. More recently, before 2009 it was 'Farmfoods' then in October 2015 Google shows it clad in scaffolding and soon after Prezzo Italian restaurant chain moves in until they closed this branch in April 2018. Oakbridge Property Ltd purchased the building in May 2021 and in June Panevino Italian Restaurant had the ground floor. Described as “empty for decades” in March 2022 a "major property refurbishment" enabled Gwagle to expand its operation offering flexible shared offices and workspace in the upper floors.

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