No. 51: St Giles Newsagents
No. 51 (left) has a late eighteenth-century front on what is probaby an early seventeenth-century core. It is jointly Grade II listed with No. 50 next door, which is part of the same building (ref. 1485/517). Nos. 50 and 51 were sold by University College to St John's College in 2004 along with the Eagle & Child pub
In 1772 a survey of every house in the city was taken in consequence of the Mileways Act of 1771. No. 51 is recorded as then being in the occupation of Mr James, with its frontage measuring 4 yards exactly.
At the time of the 1851 census this house was occupied by Miss Sarah Jane Proudman, a dressmaker of 25, and her 21-year-old sister.
In 1861 George Barber, a tobacconist aged 29, lived here with his wife.
In 1881 the house was occupied by Edmund Narroway, a 31-year-old fruiterer & greengrocer, and his wife and four children.
| Occupants of 51 St Giles' Street listed in censuses and directories | |
| 1830–46 | Benjamin Beale Boot & shoe maker |
| 1851–2 | Sarah Jane Proudman Milliner & dressmaker |
| 1861 | George Barber Tobacconist |
| 1866–76 | Misses J. & E. Clarke Berlin repository |
| 1880–1 | Edmund Narroway Greengrocer |
| 1882 | W. Sharman Grocer & provision merchant |
| 1884–91 | James Green Hairdresser |
| 1893 | Mrs Louisa Dolling Tobacconist |
| 1894–5 | Mrs M.A. Francis Milliner |
| 1895–1941 | Frederick William Gibbs Confectioner (Mrs Ellen Gibbs from 1935) |
| 1943–7 | Philip Davis Confectioner |
| 1949–71 | Stanleys Confectioners |
| 1972–6 | P. Oxford Confectioner |
| 1998–present | St Giles Newsagents |