The ever elusive Celestial Empire Beer house and brewery of Anne Street was eventually found with thanks to Tony Jenkins, amateur historian, and his hand-drawn maps.

From what little knowledge we have, it would appear to have started as a beer shop, forerunners of the public houses we know today. It was situated on the north side of Ann Street. Previous research by Martin Snow suggested it was a little to the right of the old police station; he was right.

The name Celestial Empire was commonly used to describe anything from the Orient, specifically China, the country.

There is no known image of the beerhouse/pub, but we do have this one of the police station, a close left-hand neighbour.

In Mr Snewin's time, a local published historian, the police station was at 17 to 19 Ann Street before moving to Thurloe House at the corner of the High Street and Union Place.

Snewin wrote: "There is a reference dated 1840 to a beer shop called the Celestial Empire, when a summons against William Carter, the landlord, for being open during prohibited hours was dismissed."

 Time Line

A little bit extra

1840 - William Carter

Mr Snewin mentions that there was no room for imbibing on the premises. Beer would be downed from the pavement outside until the Beer Act forced the construction of a Tap and Smoking Room.