24–25 Cornmarket
Above This photograph taken in 2009 shows Burger King at 24–25 Cornmarket. This building was erected in 1911 for the Capital & Counties Bank
Left: The Capital & Counties Bank in the current building at 24–25 Cornmarket
Right: Burger King in the same building in February 2009.
Below: the buildings that stood at 24–25 Cornmarket until 1911
The above picture shows the pair of matching shops that stood at 24 and 25 Cornmarket until 1911. In the nineteenth century, No. 24 on the right belonged to Luff the Chemist for over fifty years, while part of the left-hand building was the Anchor Inn.
The Anchor Inn was originally between 25 and 26 Cornmarket (i.e. between the present Burger King and Pret à Manger), and was numbered 25A. its name was sometimes lengthened to the Blue Anchor.
In the 1841 census it is named the Queen’s Arms, but this seems to have been temporary, probably reflecting the recent coronation of Queen Victoria.
In 1901 the Capital & Counties Bank moved into Luff’s old shop, and ten years later when the Anchor closed down at No. 25 on the left acquired that as well. Both shops were demolished in 1911 to make way for their new enlarged bank
Fuller’s Café (below) moved into the bank’s building in 1921, and it has been a café ever since. It is now Burger King.
In the Censuses
1841
No. 24: William Luff (30), a chemist lives here with Emma Luff (25) and Richard Luff (15), who are likely to be his siblings. Two “independent” people also live over the shop: Samuel Baker (53) and John Baker (16).
No. 25: Charles Irwin (30), a hair cutter, is living here with Elizabeth (35). Also in the household is apprentice Henry Fox (15), and independent lodger, and one female servant.
No. 25A: The “inn keeper” of the pub (surprisingly named the Queen’s Arms) is Benjamin Haslam (30), who lived here with Louisa (30) and Lavina (10, William (7), Mary (5), and Benjamin (3). There was one male and one female servant, and four other people who appear to be guests.
1851
No. 24: William Luff(40), the chemist and druggist, still lives here. Born in Abingdon, he is married to Prudence (40) and they have four children: Prudence (7), Mary (6), William (5), and Ann (1). They have one female servant. Also living with them are an “on-liking as an apprentice” called William Dalrymple, and an undergraduate of Brasenose College
No. 25: James Sparrow (38), milliner & mercer, is living here with his wife Marianne (32) and his children Marianne (15), Emily (12), Henry (11), Fanny (9), Charles (7), Frank (6), and Caroline (4). With them live four female staff members (an apprentice, two assistant milliners, and an assistant dressmaker), and one house servant.
No. 25A: This is not listed in the census, suggesting the pub’s living accommodation had been taken over by the large household at No. 25.
1861
No. 24 was occupied by William Luff (50). Born in Abingdon, he is described as a Chemist and Druggist. He is living over the shop with his wife Prudence (50) and their five children; Prudence (17), Mary (16), William (15), Ann (11), and Elizabeth (1), and they have one house servant. They have a 19-year-old chemist’s apprentice living with them, and a lodger who is a Commoner of Exeter College.
No. 25A: The “inn keeper” of the “Anchor Inn” is William Nickols (74), a widower living here with his daughter Mrs Harriett Boucher (37), who is listed as a barmaid, and his granddaughter Emily Boucher (2). Nickols was the former landlord of the Star & Garter at 20 Cornmarket. Also living at the inn are a general porter, an ostler, a house servant, and a nursemaid. No. 25 is not listed in the census, suggesting no one actually lived there.
1881
No. 24 was still occupied by William Luff (70). He is now a widower, living with his three unmarried daughters. Prudence (37) is simply described as a chemist’s daughter; Mary (36) as a student; and Elizabeth (30) as a housekeeper. They have one servant girl, and a chemist’s assistant boarding with them.
No. 25: The “Anchor” is now listed at the whole of 25 Cornmarket, and is much bigger. The “inn keeper” is George Strange (47), who lives there with his wife Charlotte (47), his son George (7), and stepdaughter Sarah Spencer (18). They have five boarders (an engine fitter, a porter, an inn ostler, and two seamstresses), and two lodgers (a charwoman and a 12-year-old schoolboy).
There are also two other households listed at the Anchor (possibly in the old building at No. 25A). These are Carey Wilkins, a waiter described as “head lodger” living with his charwoman wife, and their son and daughter, who are at school. Also listed as a “head lodger” is Catherine Bench, a charwoman, and her shoemaker son.
Occupants of 24, 25 and 25a Cornmarket listed in directories etc. |
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No. |
25a (behind left) |
25 (left) |
24 (right) |
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1839–1841 |
Anchor Innkeepers (not subject to 19c university wine licence): |
Charles Irwin, Hair cutter |
William Luff |
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1846 |
Fred. Irwin, Hair cutter |
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1851 |
James Sparrow Mary Ann Sparrow |
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1867 |
J. G. Miller |
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1872 |
Frederic Blagrove |
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1890 |
Frank Thomas Long |
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1899 |
Clarence P. A. Morrison |
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1901–1902 |
Gillman & Son |
Capital & Counties Bank |
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Nos. 24, 25, and 25A demolished in 1911 |
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1911 |
Capital & Counties Bank Ltd |
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1921–1972 |
Fuller’s Ltd., Confectioners (with bootmakers Lambert in 1947 and Lotus & Delta Ltd in 1952) |
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1973–1976 |
Kardomah Restaurant |
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1981 |
Burgerland |
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1984 |
Huckleberry’s Ltd |
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1990– |
Burger King |
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