King's Head Hotel, 59-60 Cross Street, Abergavenny

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

Both Grade II Listed, 59 is known as Bank House. Bank House is described as an early 19th century front on a 'building of uncertain antiquity', possibly late 16th or early 17th century. From at least 1836 it was known as The Golden Fleece Hotel, a shop famous for breeding angora wool and manufacturing hats and other clothing. In 1920 they had about 200 rabbits in the garden, 10 women on the first floor manufacturing and 6 girls serving in the shop. Before 1928, the living accommodation was at the back of the shop, with a right of way through the Kings Head arch. Trade was declining by then and the family moved to the first floor, then in 1936 M Trevor Jones & Co., drapers moved here from nos.1 & 2 Cross Street and brought the name Bank House with them. Advertisements in the 1960s has Jones' selling Bedding & carpets and later also clothing. In the 1970s it was a laundrette and 1982 to 1984 an amusement arcade and restaurant. In 1991 Peking Chef Chinese Restaurant was advertising as being here. By 2000 the Kings Head Hotel included 59-60 in its advertising and by 2006 59 was a restaurant called Venue 59, part of King’s Head Hotel. In January 2016, Venue 59 “closed for refurbishment” and re-opened as Regency 59, a restaurant with Indian and Nepalese cuisine in the evenings but with traditional breakfasts and pub lunches, presumably to cater better for the hotel trade. No.60 is described as of Medieval origins with an early/mid 19th century front. The front dates from 1836 and it seems only extended as far as the straight joint in the masonry. The remains of one arch of the medieval Corn Exchange was incorporated in the King’s Head facade and the upper floors were built over to provide access to the yard and former stables (that could accommodate about 40 horses on market days). It seems the move of the arch to a level with the intended new front was approved by the Commissioners in April 1836, bringing into question why there is a straight joint, perhaps a two phase development? The King's Head Tavern dates to before 1689 when grocer Edward Lewis died and “He likewise kept the still extant Kings Head Tavern at Abergavenny”. There is a confusing list of owners and publicans over the years that includes Arnold Perett & Co Brewery Ltd. from 1914 to 1938. It is now described as a small family-run hotel.

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