| Administrative History | This firm was established in 1813 by Henry Welsby (b. 1772), a former excise officer, who became a beer retailer in Chester. The first premises were in Old Lamb Row, on the corner of Bridge Street and Cuppin Street and in the 1850s, Henry Welsby's son, Thomas (b. 1812), adapted new premises at 40 Bridge Street. These were used until the firm's closure in 1970. Throughout its existence, the firm remained in the hands of the family which founded it, the last head of the firm being John H. Welsby. It was one of the leading wine merchants in Chester with customers in Shropshire and North Wales as well as throughout Cheshire. |