CHARLES FISK

144 High Street

Brewing started           Circa 1847 

Brewing ceased          Probably 1865

Charles Fisk was a pastry cook, and confectioner, and he ran a ‘luncheon establishment’ from 144 High Street Southampton. Adverts for his business appear in various directories. In 1843 and 1845 he advertised himself as a cook, pastry-cook and confectioner, supplying jellies, ices and soups of every description. He also supplied Turtle when in season.

By 1847, he is still described as a Cook & Confectioner, but his advert informs “his friends that he has 

added brewing to the above business and can supply families with home-brewed beer in large or small casks”. (as shown on this page). In 1848 the Hampshire Advertiser of 22nd April carries an announcement that he had fitted up a spacious refreshment room in the front part of his premises, and thanking customers for their support over the last 16 years (ie Circa 1831).

In 1849 he is listed as a ‘brewer’ and I can find no separate advert. In 1851 his advert again says that he has added brewing, and mentions homebrewed beers. By 1853 Charles Fisk is listed as a brewer in the trade section, and his advert also so refers. In the August 1851 annual Licensing Sessions, Charles Fisk applied for a licence. The clergy were not against this application as his premises ” had nothing of the nature of an ordinary Inn about it, but that it was the resort for refreshment for those that had no desire to go to a public inn on their visits of business or pleasure to Southampton.” There were however someobjections as although no one doubted that Fisk would run the premises properly, it was pointed out that the licence goes with the premises not the person. Also the Acts never contemplated application to houses of refreshment and once granted then another confectioner could not be refused. 

The licence was refused, together with all but one of  other numerous applications considered that day.

A light diversion. In 1854, a ‘washerwoman’ aged 24 was charged with stealing a German sausage from Mr Fisk on 14th August. She came in to buy 3 flowers and reached over and took the sausage without anyone noticing, save for a boy named Bassett who reported it. Mr Fisk chased her to another shop. She admitted to being intoxicated and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. (How times have changed!)

Directories show Fisk as a brewer up to 1865, and in the August 1863 Licensing Sessions, he applied for a licence to sell spirits. It was said that he was well known in the town. He was not intending to keep a hotel or gin palace, and he had graduated for a number of years, first having had a beer licence then wine but this did not satisfy his numerous customers. The application was refused. He apparently owned the land which extended back to Zion Hill (the castle mound) where he had stabling ‘and other accommodation’. 

In the Hampshire Advertiser of 8th July 1865 an auction is announced for the sale of the business of Charles Fisk’ “which has been established upwards of a century” together with the freehold of 144 High Street. The business was described as being that of a cook, and confectioner “combined with the brewing department”, together with a wine and beer licence. The business had been carried on by the proprietor for 35 years (so again Circa 1830/31) and Mr Fisk wished to retire. In November 1865, Charles Fisk announces his retirement and his successor, Mr Dartnall (spelling also appears as Dartnell). Thomas Dartnall then says that for 10 years he “was entrusted with the cuisine for the Crystal Palace” and expressed the hope customers would follow him in the new business. There was no mention of brewing.

In 1898, Fisk’s Restaurant was known as Dartnall’s, and run by the pastrycook and confectioner Thomas Dartnall, and a licence for 7 days was granted.