Former Customs House
Former Customs House, Conwy Quay
This building, beside Conwy’s medieval town wall, provides a good view over Conwy harbour from the upstairs bay window (which was added to the building sometime after 1865). Directories published in the 1870s refer to it as an “antique building”.
The building is in the centre of the old photo, shown here courtesy of Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – the National Library of Wales. The photo was taken by John Thomas c.1885.
The building was then Conwy’s Customs House. Conwy had long been a busy port, importing timber and other products. Salt and slate were shipped out. Customs officers kept watch to ensure the correct duties were paid on imports.
In 1893 Customs officer Stephen Murphy apprehended Evan Evans, Conwy’s harbour master, who had just left a steamer at the quay clutching a box of tobacco. The duty-free tobacco was sealed for the use of the ship’s crew only. Mr Evans was arrested on a charge which practically amounted to “smuggling”, according to the prosecution. In court he said the tobacco was a gift from the ship’s captain and he had no idea he was committing an offence. He was fined 20 shillings and had to pay treble the tobacco’s value and some of the legal costs. He had earlier lost his son Robert in the “Conwy boating disaster” of 1890, as you can read on our page about the family grave.
With the spread of the railways, coupled with the growth of large ports, activity on Conwy quay become increasingly dominated by fishing and the Customs presence was no longer needed.
In the early 20th century the Ministry of Labour Employment Exchange was located here. After the Second World War, the building became home to Conwy’s harbour master and his staff. From 1948 to 1954, and again in 1963 and 1964, the First Conway Scout Group used the ground floor of the former Customs House for their meetings.
With thanks to Ray Castle
Postcode: LL32 8BB View Location Map
FOOTNOTES: Previous occupants of the building
1823 The Comptroller was W Roberts
1825 Thomas Roberts, Collector at the Customs House died on 25 November
1846 Mr Robert Williams was Collector at the Customs House
1835 Comptroller of Customs was John Jones, of Castle Street
Locations for all above details are not specified in contemporary sources. Some directories list the Customs House as being in Castle Street.
1875 A directory refers to an “antique building” building on the quay which is the Custom House and Trinity stores
1878 Bailiff John Davies is identified at Custom House, The Quay
1895 A directory lists S Murphy, as “Officer, Customs House”
1911 John Alfd Williams is preventative officer in charge, Customs and Excise Office, Lower Gate Street, an address which suggests the office had moved
1922-26 Directories identify Thos Abram as occupant of the Old Customs House
1929-39 Directories say the Old Customs Office houses the Ministry of Labour Employment Exchange
1948-54 and 1963-64 Headquarters of 1st Conway Scout Group
1962 Captain JG West is Harbour master at The Old Customs House, The Quay
1969 Captain T H Whyatt is Harbour master at The Old Customs House, The Quay
1988 The Harbour master is Mr Halliday
1991 Tony Mead, a former naval officer, is appointed Harbour master
2011 Tony Mead retires as Harbour master