Norwich Merchants

1. : Beginnings

They also seemed to possess a property
in St. Stephen's, sold on as early as 1760.
The premises were known as the "Duke of Sussex".
The cellars are thought to date back at least until
the 15th Century.

John Barwell had been in partnership with the Suffield
brothers, but now seems to have struck-out on his own,
having bought this property.
In 1802 John Barwell was dealing in foreign wines
from No. "7" St. Stephen's Street (old numbering).

In 1830 the firm was listed as Barwell & Bacon;
the latter referred to in the Suffield notes. But by 1845
again under the name of John Barwell. [1]
See family names in Para. 5 below.

At this time Barwells were sole agents for
Bass & Co.'s India pale ale.  

^Top^

2. : Expansion

In 1864 Barwells is shown as the owner of the
Corn Exchange Vaults, in Exchange Street.
This venture was short-lived, as Robert J. Morley
was in charge by February 1869; and Morley had
actual ownership by 1873.

In 1890 John Barwell lived at
No. 22 Upper Surrey Street.
By 1900 there was a Royal Appointment
for the London Street branch.  

^Top^

3. : Tolly Arrive

The remaining and original Barwell's, of
12 St. Stephen's Street, was so well-known
as to give its name to Barwell's Court.
Here the Barwell family retained the licence until
April 1921, when Henry Parker Ward began a
reign of 18 years.

However, in 1935 the firm was still trading as
Barwell & Sons, with branches in Wymondham
and Lowestoft.
They claimed establishment prior to 1755.
Naturally, they were the Norfolk Depot for "Tolly"
ales and stout, and were classed principally as
Wine Merchants.
They also held a Royal Appointment.

Arthur Douglas "Barwell"[2] took over in March 1939,
followed - a month later - by the re-designation of
the owners to Tollemache Breweries Ltd.

4. : The Move

In August 1951 William Victor Paige became licensee
at the Pigeons, taking over from Arthur Douglas Ward[2].

But by November 1951 W. V. Paige was also licensee
at the Duke of Sussex. It seems that temporary premises
may have been used since the bombing. However, those
premises finally closed and were demolished after 1954.

Accordingly, sometime after 1954, the Pigeons
also came under Tollemache & Cobbold control.
Nevertheless, in 1962 the pub was being advertised
under the name Barwell's Wine Vaults.

This accords with the Bystanders' survey of 1961,
which lists the pub under Barwell's (not Pigeons).
Intriguingly, the survey mentions a 'good off-licence';
although the date recorded for this is 1973.

The 1961 pub is also described as a Free House,
despite a large representation of a bottle of Tolly ale
'dominating the bar'.  

^Top^

5. : The Dynasty

Owners were :-

By 1867 (in St.Stephen's)
and 1871 (in London Street) :
•     John Senior and John Junior jointly.
  In 1876 (St. Stephen's)
  and 1867 - 1871 and 1877 onwards (London St.) :
•     John Junior and Henry George Barwell.
  In 1894 (St. Stephen's)
  and circa 1901 (London Street) we have :
•     John Edric Hayward Barwell
      and Bertram Phillip Paris Barwell.
  In February 1920, not long before
  the demise of the London Street branch,
•     both sites were controlled by John Edric alone.

So it seems more likely that the whole Barwell's
enterprise left the family's hands in April 1921
i.e. when the London Street Branch closed.

^Top^