ANCHOR HOTEL
61 Test Lane Redbridge.
Brewing started Circa 1851
Brewing ceased Circa 1870
Tony Gallagher in his book Southampton’s Inns and Taverns makes reference to William Seagrim as a brewer, and tenant in 1812, and that these premises were previously the Anchor Inn.
William Seagrim was a brewer who had a “very compact” brewery on the Quay at Lymington. This was put for auction on 25th May 1827 together with a number of other beerhouses/pubs in Lymington, but no mention is made of the Anchor Hotel.
Benjamin Self appears as an innkeeper here from 1845 to 1849. Jeremiah Self is shown as a brewer at Romsey Road Shirley in the 1851 Directory, and Mrs Self is at the Anchor Inn Redbridge.
In May 1856, an advert refers to the premises as a roadside inn and posting house, “for many years in the occupation of the family of the late Benjamin Self. Held on a Lifehold under Sir J B Mill, quit rent of 5s pa. Option to take furniture and brewing plant at valuation. Many other lots, houses and lands.”
In the Hampshire Advertiser of 14th June 1856 the Anchor Inn Redbridge was to be sold at auction on 24th June 1856, by the executors of late Benjamin Self. In the brewery it was said there would be found an excellent 220-gallon copper, liquor and wort pumps, three quarter mash tub, (a brew of about 432 gallons at a time) coolers, underback, nine store vats, casks of various sizes working squares and stillions, a malt crusher and entire fittings of a brewery. A pocket and a half of Farnham hops, and 6 horses, quiet to ride in single or double harness.
Whether it was sold or simply stayed in the family I am unsure as by a notice dated 29th August 1859 an announcement is made that the partnership between CH Self and Sarah Self “as innkeepers, postmasters and brewers” at Redbridge was dissolved by mutual consent and the business would be carried on by Sarah Self. On 3rd September 1859 a further notice appears whereby Charles Henry Self announced that he had moved from the Anchor to convenient premises in the High Street Redbridge where he intended carrying on the business of brewer and postmaster and asked for continued support. Where that was, requires further research.
In February 1860 the licence of the Anchor was transferred from Mrs Cross, late Miss Self, to her brother Thomas Self.
In the Hampshire Advertiser of 25th November 1865 there is a notice for sale by auction on the premises of the Anchor Inn Redbridge comprising 8 bedrooms 5 sitting rooms, bar and fittings, household furniture etc. Also, skittle pins and balls, 4 horses, and two flys, as well as an excellent 3 quarter brewing plant, large copper store vats utensils casks etc.
John Dicketts was the landlord in 1871, and by March 1872, the premises were up for sale again, by the mortgagee under a power for sale. This related to the Anchor Inn Redbridge with spacious outbuildings, and being a licensed free public house opposite the bridges and railway, “together with the tap, brewhouse, roomy coachhouses, stabling for 20 horses” occupying an area of 2 roods 20 perches. The property was held for the residue of 2 terms of 99 years determinable on 2 lives, now aged 30 and 38.