Pub that was at 40 London Road, Mitcham Junction, Sutton CR4 4JB, as shown on this 1972 OS map.
1972 OS map reproduced by permission of the National Library of Scotland, re-use CC-BY (NLS)
1930s photo rendered as a cartoon to show detail
It was demolished and a block of flats built in its place, called Victoria Court. See planning application C2004/53307 on the Sutton council website.
Click a link below:
Possible origin of pub name
1835
1839
Mrs Vince
1925
Mr Albert Vernon Turner
Continental-style Beer Garden
Generosity
Menagerie
Licensees
Possible origin of pub name
The name likely comes from the leather trade, where a skinner was the person who sourced the skins of the animal, (also called a hide,) and cured them ready for tanning. This 1866 map shows the location of the Skinners Arms and the leather mill, tannery, flour mill and dye mill on the nearby river Wandle.
1866 OS map reproduced by permission of the National Library of Scotland, reuse CC-BY (NLS)
1835
The earliest newspaper article is from 1835, which refers to Thomas Franklin having been charged with serving beer before 1pm on Sundays.
1839
Andrew McRae, beer retailer of the Skinners’ Arms, and a leather dresser, was listed as a bankrupt in 1839, as shown in this extract from theLondon Gazette, Publication date:5 November 1839 Issue:19786 Page:2106
Andrew McRae, formerly of the Skinners’ Arms, Beddington-corner, near Carshallton, Retailer of Beer, and Leather-Dresser, and late of Grange-walk, next of Swan-mead, both, in Bermondsey., afterwards of Beddington-corner aforesaid, next of Wanersh, near Guildford, next of Page’s-walk, and late-of Wright’s-buildings, Grande-road, Bermondsey, all in Surrey, Leather-Dresser.
Mrs Vince
Photo from 1928 claiming to be 50 years previous to that, hence possibly 1878.
Sydenham Times – Tuesday 12 January 1869
William Storks, a boy, was charged with stealing a live thrush from a cage, from the Skinners’ Arms, Beddington Corner, the property of Charlotte Vince, on the ?th inst.
Elisabeth Vince, daughter of prosecutrix, who is landlady of the Skinners’ Arms, Beddington Corner, said yesterday a thrush was in a cage belonging to her mother in the taproom. Hearing the bird flutter, she went into the room, and there saw the boy on the form near the bird. On going into the taproom again, she fouud that the bird was gone. The lad had left the house, and was brought back. A constable was fetched, who searched the prisoner, and found the bird upon him. He was given into custody.
The boy, in answer to the Chairman, said he was 12 years of age. He had no work. His brother worked for Mr. Horton, cowkeeper, of Brockley-lane, Forest-hill, and kept him when he had no employment. He had been engaged by Mr. Timpson, dust contractor, of Sydenham, for two years, but left on Saturday last, as he had no work for him to do. If he was discharged and could not get work, he intended to go back to his brother, who would keep him.
Mrs. Vince expressed her willingness to withdraw the charge.
The Chairman said that as such was tho case, the prisoner would be discharged, who must thank Mrs. Vince for her leniency, because if it had not been for her, he probably would have been sent to reformatory for four years.
This article from 1869 refers to Mrs Vince as the landlady, and in the 1871 census she is listed as a 55-year old widow, and beer house keeper. The name VINCE is seen in the 1878 photo above. Her daughter, also called Charlotte, was 23 years old.
The 1892 Licensed Victuallers Report shows that the pub was owned by the licensee, Charlotte Vince.
Croydon Advertiser and East Surrey Reporter – Saturday 04 February 1899
Mrs Vince died aged 67 in 1883 and her 44-year old spinster daughter Charlotte Susannah Vince married Frederick Lynn, of the Angel Inn, in 1893.
Mrs Charlotte Lynn died in 1912, and left £634 11s. to Frederick Lynn, licensed victualler.
Frederick Lynn died 1916, and left £2618 15s. 7d. to his son Richard Christopher Lynn and Emily Nellie Matthews.
1925
In 1925, Richard Lynn registered the land of the pub at the land Registry.
The London Gazette
Publication date:12 June 1925Issue:33056Page:3963
Mr. Albert Vernon Turner
At the Croydon County Bench on Saturday 31st October 1925, the license for the Skinner’s Arms, Beddington Corner, was transferred from Richard C. Lynn to Albert V. Turner, according to the Mitcham Advertiser – Thursday 5th November 1925.
Image © Successor rightsholder unknown
18th September 1926.
Licensee’s donation to the vicar.
A comment in the All Saints Church magazine concerning a local public house has brought the vicar designate, the Reverend James Bevan, a cheque from the landlord, Mr. A.V. Turner, for half a guinea, accompanied by the following letter.
“Dear Sir, I thank you very much for the advertisement that you have given the Skinner’s Arms in your September magazine.
I have much pleasure in enclosing a donation of half a guinea to be given to a local charity.
Yours faithfully, A.V. Turner.”
The article referred to is as follows:
I have been given to understand that a local tavern has set out to make a ‘brighter’ Corner. I have knocked about somewhat in rough and smooth quarters but I have never struck the boozer yet that is capable of brightening any place. I have seen their effects in squalid surroundings, ruined lives, mentally and physically. If the young followers of this place imagine for a moment that a pub makes for brighter living they are making the mistake of their lives. May I throw out a bit of advice? The only safe side of a public house is the outside. At the same time the new landlord of the Skinner’s Arms has thrown out a challenge to all churchmen and churchwomen. Are you going to take it up or will the parson have to take it up alone? No churchman can hide behind the excuse, it’s not my job. It is my job and your job to make an earnest attempt to stop young fellows from making a rotten start in life.
Continental-style Beer Garden
From the Croydon Times – Saturday 23 July 1932
BEER GARDENS FOR ENGLAND
Successful Experiment at The Skinner’s Arms
This country is still a long way behind most of the Continental countries with their cafes and beer gardens. To the accompaniment of music, and amidst attractive surroundings, a man can take his family to any German or Austrian beer garden. There is no sense of shame and, also, be it noted, there is no excessive drinking.
It is therefore interesting to find that this form of recreation being introduced into our country, and Mr A.V. Turner, of the Skinners Arms, Mitcham Junction, is to be congratulated on his enterprise in opening his beer and tea garden.
The gardens, beautifully laid out with lawns and flowers and lit at night by coloured electric lights, provide a most pleasing venue for a friendly gathering, and there is plenty of shelter should the weather be wet. Luncheons and teas are served all day during the summer.
Judging by the success which is attending Mr Turner’s experiment these replicas of the famed Continental beer gardens should become most popular over here.
The earliest ad for the beer garden found on the newspaper archives online was from 25th June 1932 in the Croydon Times.
25th June 1932 Croydon Times – rights holder unknown
A FREE INVITATION IS OFFERED TO ALL TO VISIT THE BEER GARDEN AT THE SKINNERS ARMS
(A. V. TURNER, Proprietor)
MITCHAM JUNCTION
(Mondays to Fridays the Gardens can be viewed at their best)
THE BEER GARDENS, beautifully laid out with its lawns and flowers; lit by night with electric coloured lights gives a truly CONTINENTAL
BEER GARDEN aspect, where one can enjoy its pleasing surroundings. Rustic garden furniture is dotted about the many pretty spots in the
garden should it rain there is plenty of shelter.
HOW TO GET TO THE BEER GARDENS.
Nearest Stations: Mitcham Junction and Hackbridge, or by Buses 87 and 77, which pass the Skinners Arms.
Luncheons and Teas served all day during the Summer.
COME OUT TO-DAY & BRING YOUR FRIENDS.
Why go abroad! ad for the beer and tea gardens.
Croydon Times – Wednesday 27 July 1932
Why Go Abroad!
Subheading:
BE BRITISH
SEE FIRST at the
Main Body:
BEER AND TEA GARDENS
AT
The SKINNERS ARMS
(A. V. TURNER, Proprietor)
MITCHAM JUNCTION
MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS THE GARDENS CAN BE VIEWED AT THEIR BEST
How to get to the BEER GARDENS
which are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nearest Stations: Mitcham Junct. and Hackbridge, or by Buses 87 and 77, which pass the Skinners Arms.
THE GARDENS, beautifully laid out, are lit at night by electric coloured lights, giving a truly CONTINENTAL BEER GARDEN aspect, where one can enjoy alcoholic or non-alcoholic refreshments. Rustic garden furniture is dotted about the many pretty spots in the garden. Should it rain there is plenty of shelter.
Closing:
Luncheons and Teas served all day during the Summer.
COME OUT TO-DAY & BRING YOUR FRIENDS.
Job ad:
Croydon Times – Wednesday 29 June 1932
Generosity
Mr A.V. Turner made contributions to local hospitals, such as the Carshalton memorial Hospital and the Croydon General. In 1933, the Skinner’s Arms raised £14 4s. 3d., the most among local pubs, for the Explosion Relief Fund.
1939
Menagerie
From the Croydon Times – Wednesday 19 July 1939 via British Newspaper Archive
LION CUB JOINS LICENSEE’S MENAGERIE
BEAR AND MONKEYS ARE OTHER PETS
HUNDREDS OF BIRDS
If you were asked “Where is the nearest zoo?”, you would probably attempt to assess the comparative distances to Regents and Chessington. Yet there is a menagerie nearer than either North London or West Surrey.
This colony of animals has been developed by Mr A.V. Turner, licensee of the Skinners Arms, London Road, Beddington Corner. There are monkeys, foxes, a bear and hundreds of birds ranging from red eared bull-bulls to orange truples.
And now Mr Turner has added a lion cub to his collection. This native of Abyssinia has not yet been accorded the respect from the other menagerie inhabitants he is entitled to expect as King of the Animals, (or should one, in view of his age and size, term him Prince of Animals?) Mary, the black Himalayan bear who was formerly owned by an Addiscombe man, has shown particular resentment and hostility to the newcomer.
HUNDREDS OF VISITORS
The menagerie is situated in the grounds at the rear of the hotel and hundreds of visitors are attracted there every evening. Mr Turner’s interest in animals and birds was enhanced by a stay of several years in East Africa and this private zoo has been his very unusual hobby. Inspection of the animals is entirely free and is not conditioned by patronage of the hotel.
The grounds are very extensive for an inn with lawns and well laid out beds of geraniums and other flowers. All round the garden are cages for animals and birds.
There are iron seats painted green to accommodate no fewer than 350 people and in addition to a sweet shop in the grounds, nuts and raisins can be obtained for offering to the menagerie inhabitants from slot machines.
The menagerie is a model of cleanliness and tidiness and it is Mr Turner’s ambition to continue enlarging it and making it still more representative.
WON IN COMPETITION
The lion cub was originally won in a ticket competition at a fete in aid of Surbiton Hospital. It was given for the purpose by Mr R. S. Goddard, proprietor of Chessington Zoo where it was born.
When Mr and Mrs Turner showed me round the menagerie, writes our representative, I was somewhat apprehensively admiring the obvious strength and sharpness of the cub’s teeth when I heard an urgent voice calling, “Father” and “Mother” behind me. My first impression was that it was a lost and wandering child. I was wrong, for Mr Turner indicated “Mac,” a large macaw, when at the venerable age of 90 performs a sprightly dance to a humming accompaniment by Mr Turner.
MONKEYS HELP THEMSELVES
“Mac” is a handsome bird of green and gold with a tail 18 inches long and a surprisingly wide wingspan. It is believed to be the finest specimen of its kind in the country, while its manners are impeccable. On being awarded titbits for singing any old rags, bottle or boxes, or bones, it never fails to express its thanks by the brief but appreciative ”Ta.”
The monkeys include sooty mangabeys who are as tame as they are intelligent. Children derive great enjoyment from inserting pennies in the slot machines and watching the greedy but grateful mangabeys extract packets of nuts. There is an entertaining Java monkey and two foxes, one of which is only six weeks old. The other was presented to Mr Turner by Dr Elizabeth Sloane Chesser of Carshalton. It is as tame and as docile as a dog.
“Mac,” by the way, has rivals in garrulity in a sulphur-crested white cockatoo who, on being given more time in response to his appeal, cocky once a drink promptly breaks out into an Irish jig. He is encouraged by “Joe,” a jackdaw, whose pet phrase is, “Go on, Go on.”
SOME OF THE BIRDS
The remarkable collection of British and foreign birds are a delight to the eye. There are hundreds of them, of all colours and kinds, including a very representative gathering of finches. Here are a few of the lesser known birds. Peking robins, colonial budgerigars, weaving finches, Pope cardinals, Java sparrows, red crested cardinals, red-eared bullwalls, black and scarlet tanagers, orange truples, red virginians, cardinals, buttercup budgerigars. The birds range in size from smaller than the wren to as large as the vulture.
Mr and Mrs Turner (she shares her husband’s interest in this absorbing hobby) ask us to make it clear to intending visitors that dogs cannot be allowed in the grounds.
In 1947, Mr A.V. Turner left the Skinner’s Arms and opened a restaurant in Reigate. This ad from 1950 shows the proprietors as Mr and Mrs A.V. Turner (Late of the Skinners’ Arms, Mitcham).
Surrey Mirror – Friday 04 August 1950
Mr. A.V. Turner died in 1954.
Croydon Times – Friday 12 March 1954
MR. ALBERT TURNER OF “THE VICTORY”
FORMERLY a prominent member of Croydon and District Licensed Victuallers’ Protection Society, Mr Albert Vernon Turner, of the “Victory” public house, Gillett-road, Thornton Heath, died in Mayday Hospital on Friday following a brief illness. He was 65 years of age. Mr. Turner was for 21 years licensee of the “Skinner’s Arms” at Mitcham Junction, where he ran a small zoo for many years. He left the licensed trade in February, 1947, to open a restaurant at Reigate, but returned to Croydon and took the licence of the “Victory” 14 months ago. For five years In the early 1930s he was chairman of the Croydon L.V. Society. He leaves a widow and two grown-up children. Mrs. Turner. who is now secretary of the Officers Club, at Woodcote-road, Wallington, was formerly well known in this district as a teacher of dancing. The funeral took place on Wednesday at South London Crematorium.
The 1961 phone book entry shows that it was part of the Anchor Hotel & Taverns group, which was part of the brewer Courage.
1961 phone book
Licensees
Information is from the Google Map Pubs of Sutton and surrounding areas, directories and electoral registers from Ancestry.
1835 – Thomas Franklin
1869 – Charlotte Vince
1892 – Charlotte Vince
1897 – Charlotte Lynn
1899 – Frederick Lynn
1911 – Frederick Lynn
1918 – Frederick Lynn
1925 – Richard C. Lynn
1926 – 1947 Albert Vernon Turner
From comments on Facebook
1964 John & Olive Burke took over from Mrs Best
1967 John & Olive Burke moved to the Woolpack in Banstead
1978 to 1990 Roger & Moira Davenport
Mitcham History Notes 