Category Archives: Pubs

The Mitcham Mint pub opened Christmas 1968 but locals disliked the name

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Mitcham News and Mercury, 27th December, 1968, page 1

A row over a pub name

An argument blew up over the week-end over the name of Streatham Vale’s first pub, which opened on Friday.

Local people are upset at the brewery’s choice of “Mitcham Mint.” Ind Coope selected this because, they say, they wanted to name it after a local industry.

But what local industry?

The firm that make a sweet called Mitcham Mints is Clarnico Ltd – whose factory is in East London.

It is true, however, that, many years ago, the company used mint picked in Mitcham for their confectionery.

Said one Vale resident: “It’s a pretty far-fetched reason to call a pub Mitcham Mint.”

And Coun. Dennis O’Neill, secretary of Streatham Vale Property Owners’ Association, declared: “The brewery should have consulted the locals first after all, the place will surely rely on local trade.

“Why not call it the Vale Rose? The rose grows like mad in this area; the soil suits it. That name would have had far more local significance than Mitcham Mint.”

THE SIGN

The inn sign of the Vale’s new two-bar hostelry, which was formerly the Coronation off-licence in Lilian Road, is the mint plant.

Said a spokesman for Ind Coope: “We spent a great deal of time deciding on a name; we always like to give our houses a local touch. Mitcham was famous for its mint, so this seemed an ideal name. Someone had the idea that the Mitcham Mint was made locally. . .”

The licensee, 52-year-old Mr. Alexander Tipping, who was manager of the off-licence, formally pulled the first pint on Friday, watched by a saloon bar full of guests.

Mr. Richard Motion, managing director of Ind Coope (London) Ltd., said there was obviously a need for a pub in this area – the nearest one was about half a mile away.

This will be a local house, relying mainly on local trade,” he added.

The £16,000 conversion scheme was carried out by Tamworth Park Construction Ltd., whose general foreman, Mr. Frank Stannett, was presented with a souvenir tankard.

There was a tankard too, for Mr Oliver Ashwell, district manager.

Mr Tipping will run the Mitcham Mint with the help of the wife, Mrs Emily Tipping. They have three daughters aged 21, 19 and 15.

Notes
1. The Coronation off-licence was called Coronation Stores in council minutes.

2. The pub was renamed in February 2019 as The Vale at Streatham. It had been refurbished by its owners, Star Pubs & Bars.

The Swan Garage

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Motor dealer and garage near the Swan pub on the western side of London Road, south of Eveline Road.

Business owned by Bertie Cyril DENDY.

He was married on 3rd August 1910 to Lilian Beatrice Mary MANSFIELD, aged 25, of 7 Spencer Road, Cottenham Park, Wimbledon. Her father is shown on the marriage certificate as Thomas Mansfield, carpenter. Bertie Dendy, also at the same address has his occupation shown as Coach Builder, the same as his father Adolphus.

The 1911 census shows him as a wheelwright:
Address: The Oakwood, London Road, Mitcham, Surrey

Adolphus DENDY, head, born 1854, aged 57, wheelwright
Frances Sarah Dendy, wife, born 1852, aged 59, married 33 years
Bertie Dendy, son, born 1881, aged 30, wheelwright
Lilian Beatrice Mary Dendy, son’s wife, born 1891, aged 20

His father Adolphus is listed in the 1915 street directory as a wheelwright at The Oakwoods, north of Oakwood Terrace. Adolphus Dendy was a District Chairman in 1907, and also landlord of the Ship pub. In the 1918 Kelly directory, Adolphus Dendy is listed as carriage & motor dealer.

From the 1925 street directory, listed in London Road going south:

Eveline villas :
10, William Arthur VLEACH
9, Ernest Alfred ARTHUR
8, Hugh ANDERSON
7, William DRAKEFORD
6, Latham Charles LATHAM

…. here is Eveline road

5, Sidney BOREHAM
3, J. W. AUSTIN & Son, provision dealers
2, Ernest REEVE, butcher
1, Miss L. FROUDE, confectioner

B. DENDY motor engineer
The Mitcham Cabinet Works (E. W. CLIFTON & C. OLDHAM, proprietors)
Swan inn, Roy DALE
B. DENDY motor engineer
Mrs. DENDY (The Oakwoods)

From the London Gazette, 2nd February, 1937:

NOTICE is hereby given that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us, the undersigned Bertie Cyril Dendy and Arthur Henry Stanforth carrying on businees as Garage Proprietors at 174 London Road, Mitcham in the county of Surrey under the style or firm of “THE SWAN GARAGE”
has been dissolved by mutual consent as from the thirteenth day of December 1936. All debts due and owing to or by the late firm win be respectively received and paid by the said Bertie Cyril Dendy.

The said business will be carried on in the future by the said Bertie Cyril Dendy.

—As witness our hands this 25th day of January 1937.

ARTHUR HENRY STAINFORTH.

BERTIE CYRIL DENDY.

Norwood News 5th May 1937 via the British Newspaper Archive

Norwood News – Friday 15th October 1937

MITCHAM’S SOLE AGENTS B. C. Dendy and Co.. Ltd., 180, London-road, Mitcham, has an advantage over other motor-dealers in Mitcham as he is the only agent in Mitcham for Morris and Ford cars. This advantage is also an advantage for prospective buyers of cars residing within easy reach of Mitcham, as one is able to see the car one wants in comfort.

Ford, of course, is known to all, as since 1903 the Ford organisation has made and sold over 25,000,000 cars. This unique record in manufacturing has only been made possible by the unusual value which Ford cars offer. The Ford “Ten” is the latest addition to Ford high-value cars, and one of the most outstanding announced for many years. It marks a new stage in the evolution of enjoyable but inexpensive motoring, offering exceptional roominess, high engineering quality. assured reliability, with remarkable economy.

His other sole agency, that of Morris cars, gives prospective buyers the opportunity of examining cars which have a reputation for fast, safe, and comfortable riding. The Morris “24” is designed in such a way that the most careful attention has been paid to those three dominating points.

The new overhead valve power unit has been thoroughly proved over an extensive mileage and combines surging power with the absolute reliability and smooth running for which Morris engines have been famed in the past. With a top speed of 70 miles per hour and an mildly impressive performance on the lower gears, it is more than capable of holding its own even with cars of much higher horsepower. It Is the car for the man who desires comfortable motoring.

15th October 1937, Norwood News, via the British Newspaper Archive.
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Westminster Gazette – Thursday 06 September 1906

DISASTROUS FIRE AT MITCHAM.

Late last evening a fire broke out at Dendy’s coach-building stores and offices at Oakwood, London-road, Mitcham. The Mitcham fire brigade were soon upon the scene and got to work, and in response to urgent calls engines and men from Croydon and the Metropolitan brigade arrived. In spite of the united efforts of the firemen the flames, fanned by a strong wind, continued to spread, lighting up the whale country-side, and attracting large numbers of people from the surrounding districts. The building was eventually destroyed, together with its valuable stock. The loss will run into thousands of pounds. The respective brigades remained at work for some hours, playing upon the smouldering debris, which from time to time burst out into flame. There has been no such fire in Mitcham for many years.

Listed in the 1938 commercial directory as B.C. Dendy & Co., motor car agents, 174 London Road.