Former Black Horse inn

link_to_french_translationFormer Black Horse inn

Old photo of Black Horse Inn, ConwyThis building was the Black Horse inn from the late 18th century, or earlier, until c.1900. From 1834 to 1856 the licensee was Thomas Roberts, who wrote Welsh poetry under the bardic name "Myrddin". You can read more about him and his poetry on this page in our mini-tour of Conwy churchyard, where he is buried.

In 1899 the licensee was taken up by John Smallwood, whose son Percy was soon to become a professional middle-distance runner in New York. You can see a photo of Percy on our page about the Blue Bell, where he was born.

In 1903 the Black Horse lost its licence because it had no overnight guest accommodation and was “not required” as a pub. The ground floor was subsequently divided into two shops. By 1911 the larger part was trading as the Emu Restaurant, becoming the Victoria Tea Rooms in 1915.

In 1932 the building began its long association with baking and with the Veale family. In 1938 the Victoria Café was moved to the first floor, leaving the ground floor for Gerald Veale’s new bakery and confectionery shop. Gerald died in 1967 and the business was continued by his son Brian. The bakery developed a following for its bara brith (Welsh tea bread), baked to the family’s secret recipe.

Brian Veale died in an accidental fall in 1996. The business was sold c.1998 and continued as Popty Conwy Bakery. Since 2007 it has been run by five brothers from the Roberts family.

The smaller shop next door is now a traditional sweet shop.

Thanks to Ray Castle for this information

Postcode: LL32 8AY    View Location Map

FOOTNOTES: Previous occupants of this building

1825 Thomas Aneurin Roberts born at Black Horse (his father was landlord). He became Conwy's postmaster in 1842.
1834-1856 Licensee Thomas Roberts (memorial inscription to him in St Mary’s Church)
1868-1875 Silence Roberts
1880 John Evans
1881-1886 Elizabeth Owen
1886 Robert Prichard
1895 Margaret Jones
1899 J C Smallwood
1902 Andrew David Gillies
1911-14 Main part of premises is Emu Restaurant, run by John Roberts
1915-1929 Main part is the Victoria Tea Rooms, run by M Theo Jones
1932-67 Main part is the Victoria Café, run by Gerald Veale
1967-96 Main part is Veale’s Bakery, run by Brian Veale
1998 onwards Main part is Popty Conwy Bakery

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