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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 18 Sep 1929
Page 4 Column 7
THE PROPERTY MARKET.
TAUNTON HOTELS AUCTIONED.
BRISTOL BREWERY'S VENTURE.
There was a large attendance at the Castle Hotel, Taunton, on Wednesday afternoon, when Mr. W. Leslie PRICE, of the firm of Messrs. W. R. J. Greenslade & Co., offered for sale by public auction two well-known local hotels, both being “free” houses. The Angel Hotel, Corporation-street, which was recently re-built, excited keen competition, but the Half Moon Hotel, North-street, for which bidding was also brisk, failed to reach the reserve, and was withdrawn. In connection with the sale of the Angel to the Ashton Gate Brewery, Bristol, it is interesting to note that this is the first house to be owned by them in the borough.
THE ANGEL HOTEL.
The Angel Hotel was the first to be offered. It is a freehold, fully-licensed house, recently completely rebuilt by the present owner, and containing spacious model serving department, well-planned and lighted, viz., public bar, jug and bottle, saloon, smoke-room, ladies' and gentleman's cloak-rooms, tiled passage with entrances from Corporation-street and Bath-place, excellent private living accommodation on first floor, bath-room (h. and c.), domestic hot water system, electric light, town water, company's gas, and telephone.
Mr. PRICE observed that it was not often that a fully licensed “free” house came on the market in these days. They were getting very scarce, and no fresh licenses were being granted; as each license was removed the others were bound to become valuable, and therefore any purchase made that day was bound to increase in value during the coming years. The Angel Hotel had recently been removed from the corner and rebuilt in its present position. Mr. George RIDGEWAY had been the tenant for 16 years, and they all knew him to be respected and popular. He had conducted his business in such an excellent manner that he had an extraordinary good trade there, and it was still increasing. Although the hotel was offered with vacant possession Mr. RIDGEWAY was prepared to remain for a reasonable period to suit the conveniences of the purchaser, if desired, subject to terms being arranged.
Biddings commenced at £4,000, three brewery company representatives being interested, and rose by £250 bids to £5,5000, when £100 bids were taken and the property fell to the Ashton Gate Brewery, Bristol, at £6,100, with an additional £80 for fittings specified in the particulars.
Lot 2 consisted of the booking office, let to the National 'Bus Company on a seven years' lease at £100 per annum, and the representatives of the Ashton Gate Brewery exercised the option of taking this at £1,000, without competition.
Messrs. Dodson & Pulman were the vendor's solicitors.
HALF MOON HOTEL.
This property is suituate <sic> adjoining the Head Post-office in North-street. The accommodation comprises:- Spacious public bar, bottle and jug department, with a separate entrance from the main street, smoke-room at rear, and bar parlour, cellar at half basement, convenient size living-room, large kitchen with range; on the first floor, six bedrooms, sitting-room, club-room, bath-room, &c.; on the top floor, two attic bedrooms. In the yard at the rear are two cottages, each containing four rooms, now used as stores. There is a large range of buildings now used as stables and stores, which are suitable for many purposes, and could be easily converted into up-to-date garages. The hotel has a frontage to North-street of 23ft. 6in., and an average width at the back of over 40ft., and there is a separate approach to the yard from North-street, the whole property comprising an area of 8,790 super feet, or thereabouts.
Mr. PRICE said that apart from the fact the hotel was fully licensed, the property could be developed in many ways. In the first place it was situated in the principal thoroughfare of the town, and the rear portion could be developed for any class of business, in fact no site could be better. It was one of the remaining three “free” houses in the town, and the property would always maintain its value.
Biddings commenced at £3,000, two bids of £500 each taking it to £4,000. Then came two bids of £250 each, to be followed by five bids of £100 each, two further bids of £50 each raised the total to £5,100 at which figure the auctioneer announced that he would have to bid £5,750 on behalf of the owner, and the property would be for sale by private treaty.
Messrs. G. H. Kite & Sons were the solicitors concerned.