When the old NatWest bank closed in Porthmadog a couple of years ago, local history enthusiast Martin Pritchard was delighted to see that the building was quickly bought by retired policeman Steve Pickering.

And the purchase by Mr Pickering turns out to have been very appropriate, as the building was once used as Porthmadog Police Station.

But that’s not all the building has been used for over the years, as Martin has discovered.

Here he shares the fascinating history of iconic High Street building.

“After the old NatWest bank closed at Porthmadog in 2017, I was very glad to see that it was quickly purchased by retired policeman Steve Pickering who was to convert it to a Tapas bar.

“When the actual refurbishment worked commenced, I heard that it had been at one time a police station, lock up house and chemist.

“This intrigued me, so I decided to investigate.”

Martin checked the censuses from 1841 to 1861.

“This can be a bit daunting as they have minimal information. One can only assume the rough location of some properties,” Martin explained.

Nothing was entered in the 1841/1851 census, but in the 1861 census is states: ‘Lock up house, London Road (possibly no 72), residents Cornelius Davies Acting inspector of police, Mary Davies wife, Jessie C Davies daughter.Thomas Roberts prisoner agricultural labourer from Llansilin Mont.’

The 1871 census again shows it as a lock up house in 72 high street, which had an Owen Price Acting Sergeant of police residing there.

“It is known that the police station at the roundabout was opened in 1861,” said Martin.

“By then, Cornelius Davies had become an inspector at the new station, so the lock house was still occupied by the police even though there was a new police station which had cells and a court house.”

Next door, at 74 High Street, there was a chemist run by the famous Robert Issac Jones of Tremadog.

By 1881, due to their expansion, the National Provincial bank of England decided to leave their premises in Bank Place and move to the High Street.

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