Alnwick (Clayport) - Percy Arms

Name: The Percy Arms

Address: Clayport Street, Alnwick

Clayport c.1930s/40s taken from outside the Pack Horse PH

The Percy Arms, named in deference to local landowner's the Percy family, opened in the mid-1800s and was on the right side of Clayport Street, heading out of the centre up the hill after the junction with Tower Lane. It eventually closed in 1906 and the building was demolished in the mid-1900s to make way for new housing development; erradicating the slums and uninhabitable housing from this part of town. On the picture above it's possible the Percy Arms was one of the mid-terraced properties on the hill.

Seen on the 1864 map below, its neighbours, the Brewer's Hotel and the Tailor's Arms suffered a similar fate, being demolished for new development.

1864 Town Plan - Percy Arms

The Inn did not appear on any public directory records until the 1855 record below. Listed landlords were recorded as John Robson (-1871), Eleanor Davison (-1878), James Aitchison (1878-), James Robson (1883-), James Draycott (-1891), Henry (aka Harry) Jestin Knight (1891-), Joseph Francis (1894-), William Armstrong Dixon (-1899), Horatio Nicholls (1899-), Robert Ralph Rough (1901), James Aitchinson (1903-) and Alexander Watson (1906). 

1855 Whellan's Directory - John Robson

1861 Census John Robson

Saturday evening, an inquest was held at the house of Mr. John Robson, Percy Arms Inn, Alnwick, before Mr. Hardy, coroner, on the body of Thos. Embleton, cabinet-maker, aged 54 years. 

Published: Saturday 14 February 1863

Newspaper: Newcastle Chronicle

FATAL ACCIDENT CLAYPORT STREET

On Tuesday evening last, an inquest was held at the Percy Arms, Alnwick, before J. J. Hardy, Esq., coroner for North Northumberland, on the body of Mary Ann Murphy, a child who lost her life owing to a lamentable accident.

Published: Saturday 18 February 1871

Newspaper: Alnwick Mercury

1871 Census John Robson

John passed away shortly after the 1871 census heralding a change of landlord at the Inn. I suspect there were several landlords over the next few years but by the end of the decade, James Aitchison was running the business, although by the early 1880s, a James Robson was behind the bar, probably a relative of John's.

1871 Probate John Robson

On Tuesday afternoon last, inquest was held at the Percy Arms Inn, Alnwick, before Geo. Edward Watson,Esq., coroner for North Northumberland, on the body of John Stewart, working with Mr Drysdale, a coachbuilder.

Published: Saturday 30 December 1876

Newspaper: Alnwick Mercury

Fatal Accident a Child.

On Tuesday evening, and was held at the Percy Arms, Alnwick, before Coroner Watson, on the body of Catherine Ternant, aged 3 years and 4 months.

Published: Friday 11 May 1877

Newspaper: Berwick Advertiser

Publicans Fined

Eleanor Davison, Percy Arms Inn, Alnwick, was charged with having sold to Superintendent Harkes, on the February last, a pint of rum, which, according to the ...

Published: Saturday 09 March 1878

Newspaper: Alnwick Mercury

ALNWICK PETTY SESSIONS

Percy Arms Inn, Alnwick, from Ellen Davidson to James Aitchison. Angel Inn, Alnwick, from Mary Ann Ross to Charles Crawford. Crown Inn, Alnwick, from James Smart to Mary Ann Ross. Blue Bell Inn, ...

Published: Saturday 11 May 1878

Newspaper: Alnwick Mercury

1879 Kelly's Directory - James Aitchison

1881 Census - James Aitchison

ALNWICK BREWSTER SESSIONS

The adjourned Brewster Sessions were held at the Court House, Alnwick before Mr. J. Craster, and bench of Magistrates. The licences of James Robson, Percy Arms, Alnwick; Isabella Turnbull...

Published: Saturday 22 September 1883

Newspaper: Morpeth Herald

STABLING to be had at Percy Arms, Clayport Street, Alnwick.—Apply to James Robson.

Published: Saturday 30 August 1884

Newspaper: Alnwick Mercury

James Robson, landlord of the Percy Arms, Clayport, Alnwick, was- charged by Supt. Rutherford with selling him one pint of whisky adulterated with water 38-4 under proof.

Published: Saturday 13 December 1884

Newspaper: Alnwick Mercury

AMOUNTS received towards the General Purpose Fund. Anonymous £ 0 0 Small sums from Mr Aitcheson, Percy Arms, Alnwick. Small sums from Mr W. D. Spittle.

Published: Saturday 01 December 1888

Newspaper: Alnwick Guardian and County Advertiser

The license of the Angel Inn, Alnwick, was transferred from Wm. Anderson to Robt, Anderson, and the license of the Percy Arms, Alnwick, was endorsed from James Draycott to Henry (aka Harry) Knight.

Published: Saturday 11 April 1891

Newspaper: Alnwick Guardian and County Advertiser

1891 Census - Harry Jestin Knight

DRUNK ON LICENSED PREMISES

Henry Knight, Percy Arms, Alnwick, was charged with permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises on the 16th April. Mr Peroy appeared for the defence. 

Published: Saturday 09 May 1891

Newspaper: Alnwick Guardian and County Advertiser

ALNWICK PETTY SESSIONS

Before—Major Widdrington (in the chair: E. G. Wheeler)

... renewal of the license of the Percy Arms, Clayport Street, Alnwick, which was withheld at last Court in consequence of a conviction having been recorded against the occupant for selling liquor to an intoxicated person in the course of the year.

Published: Saturday 26 September 1891

Newspaper: Alnwick Guardian and County Advertiser

1894 Kelly's Directory - Harry Knight

ALNWICK PETTY SESSIONS,

...of the Percy Arms, Alnwick, to Mr. Jos. Francis, late Sergeant-Major 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers Militia.

Published: Saturday 08 September 1894

Newspaper: Morpeth Herald

Application for the license of the Percy Arms, Alnwick, to be endorsed to Horatio Nicholls of Amble, from William Armstrong Dixon, the present proprietor. — Granted.

Published: Saturday 12 August 1899

Newspaper: Morpeth Herald

The license of the Percy Arms, Alnwick, was Horatio Nicholls...

Published: Saturday 09 September 1899

Newspaper: Morpeth Herald

1901 Census Robert Ralph Rough

ALNWICK PETTY SESSIONS

Douglas, solicitor, Alnwick, applied for the license of the Percy Arms, Clayport, Alnwick, be transferred to Mr. James Aitcinson. which was granted. 

Published: Saturday 10 October 1903

Newspaper: Morpeth Herald

The temporary transfer of the license of the Percy Arms, Alnwick, from James Aitchison to Alexander Watson, was granted.

Published: Saturday 14 July 1906

Newspaper: Alnwick Guardian and County Advertiser

The Licensing Act of 1904 was a significant piece of legislation which resulted in thousands of pubs and beerhouses around Britain being "referred for compensation" i.e. renewal of the license was refused under the guidelines of the Act and compensation granted for the closure of the business.  This was something heavily influenced by the Temperance movement of the time and the reason the Percy Arms finally closed for business.  

A meeting, the Northumberland Licensing Committee

The Bench approved of the claims in respect of the Union Inn, the Brewer’s Hotel, the Percy Arms, the Tailor’s Arms, the Mason’s Arms, and the Ship Inn. They did not approve the claims in respect of the Phoenix Inn and the Sun Inn.

Published: Friday 17 July 1908

Newspaper: Berwick Advertiser

Transfer of Licenses

Mason’s Arms, Stamford.—Alexander Watson applied for a transfer from Wiliam Gill. Mr. Watson managed the Percy Arms, Alnwick, for 25 years, but it was closed three years ago by the Compensation Authority.

Published: Saturday 08 May 1909

Newspaper: Alnwick Guardian and County Advertiser

1915 Probate James Draycott

OBITUARY MR. J. AITCHISON. BILTON

Mr. Aitchison was a native of Alnwick, and lived on Alnwick Moor for a considerable time, and before going to Bilton he was the licensee of a public house at Newton-on-the-Moor, and of the Percy Arms, Alnwick.

Published: Friday 02 February 1934

Newspaper: Morpeth Herald

Comparison of 1864 Town and 2026 Google Maps