The Great Sale of Reigate
In October/November 1921, the Great Sale of Reigate took place. At this time, a large amount of property in Reigate was owned by the Somers Family. Following the death of Lady Somers, the property, including many of the houses in Nutley Lane, was sold. A detailed account of the sale appeared in the 'Surrey Mirror and County Post' on Friday, 4th November 1921, and excerpts of this are reproduced below:
THE SALE OF REIGATE
TOTAL YIELD OF £203,840.
TOWN HALL TO BE PRESERVEDThe Manor of Reigate figures more or less prominently in the history of this country from the time of the Conquest. It has been held by the great Earls of Warren and Surrey, ... and afterwards by Lord Chancellor Somers, who received it from William III. It was handed down to Lady Henry Somerset, and on her death Somers-Somerset came-into possession. The estate, comprising some 250 acres, has now been cut up, and last week witnessed the disposal of the land and property by public auction. The event was one of more than local interest, the passing away of the Somerset interest was of a significance which historians will surely note. The sale took our thoughts back to mediæval times, and there are many who regret the disturbance of the ownership of the Manor of Reigate. The town has now changed hands, and leaseholders have now become freeholders on the one hand, and on the other men from a distance have become financially interested in the prosperity of the borough.
The greater portion of the town was offered for sale, some 400 places of business and private houses being scheduled [scheduled] by the auctioneers, Messrs. Knight, Frank and Rutley. For some time, past lessees and occupiers of property on the estate have been concerned as to their future, fearing in the battle of prices, they would have to bow to the inevitable. ... Mr. Somers-Somerset refused a tempting offer to sell ... by private treaty to a financier. He was anxious that every tenant and occupier should feel that reasonable opportunities had been offered to them to secure their holding. Mr Somerset therefore notified his tenants that they must leave on mortgage two-thirds of the purchase price of the property they want. Most of the tenants were in attendance on Wednesday of last week; the opening day of the auctions ...
... Hearty applause was evoked by announcements of tenants having become the holders of their holdings. ...
The Town Clerk was kind enough to refer to the long association of the Somerset family with the Borough of Reigate. He could assure them that it was with great regret that the association was severed, but at the same time it was very pleasant to think that, the finale should be so satisfactory to all concerned (hear, hear). On behalf of Mr. Somerset, he conveyed to them his hope and his wishes that individually the purchasers might find that the lots they had purchased, and especially the lessees, all they could desire. Might it work for their good and might it further work for the good, he hoped, of this old town (applause).
THE BIDDING
The bidding was then commenced, and it was soon evident that the tenants were keenly interested. As lot after lot was knocked down to tenants there was a hearty cheer.
For a full account of this, you can see the full catalog at the Surrey History Centre in Woking or see a copy of the paper at the British Library in Colindale.
The plan on the left shows the Lot numbers from Nutley Lane and the details of each Lot appear below - click on the plot to go to the Lot.
| LOT 142 | |
| (Coloured Yellow on Plan No.3) | |
|
A FREEHOLD GROUND RENT of £38 per annum | |
|
leased for a term of 99 years from the 29th September, 1897, and secured upon a terrace of 19 COTTAGES | |
| Nos. 106 to 142 (even) NUTLEY LANE | |
|
Brick built and slated and each containing:-Two Living Rooms, Kitchen, Scullery, Three Bedrooms and an outside W.C. | |
| Total Assessment:-£285 per annum. | Reversion Michaelmass, 1996. |
| [ Purchased by Reigate Stocks, Shares and Estate Co. £650 ] | Back to plot map |
| LOT 143 | |
| (Coloured Yellow on Plan No.3) | |
|
A FREEHOLD GROUND RENT of £5 per annum | |
|
leased for a term of 99 years from the 25th December, 1870, and secured upon the brick built and tiled | |
| MISSION HOUSE & HALL, NUTLEY LANE | |
|
| |
| Reversion Christmas, 1969. | |
| [ Sold to Trustees of Nutley Lane Church ] | Back to plot map |
| LOT 189 | |
| (Coloured Blue on Plan No.3) | |
|
ANOTHER FREEHOLD GROUND RENT of £5 per annum | |
| Leased for a term of 99 years from the 25th December, 1896, and secured upon | |
| Nos. 1 & 3, NUTLEY LANE | |
|
A pair of semi-detached brick built and slated Cottages, each containing:-Sitting Room, Kitchen, Scullery, Three Bedrooms, W.C. | |
| Assessed at £36 per annum. | Reversion Christmas, 1995. |
| [ Sold to Mr. A. B. Apted £90 ] | Back to plot map |
| LOT 190 | |
| (Coloured Pink on Plan No.3) | |
|
A FREEHOLD GROUND RENT of £5 per annum | |
| Leased for a term of 99 years from the 25th December, 1896, and secured upon | |
| Nos. 5 & 7, NUTLEY LANE | |
|
A pair of brick built and slated Cottages, each containing:-Sitting Room, Kitchen, Scullery, Three Bedrooms, W.C. | |
| Assessed at £36 per annum. | Reversion Christmas, 1995. |
| [ Sold to Mr. A. B. Apted £190 ] | Back to plot map |
| Lots 191, 192, and 193 will be offered together only. | |
| LOT 191 | |
| (Coloured Green on Plan No.3) | |
|
A FREEHOLD GROUND RENT of £5 per annum | |
| Leased for a term of 99 years from the 25th December, 1896, and secured upon | |
| Nos. 9 & 11, NUTLEY LANE | |
|
A pair of semi-detached brick built and slated Cottages, each containing:-Sitting Room, Kitchen, Scullery, Three Bedrooms, W.C. | |
| Assessed at £36 per annum. | Reversion Christmas, 1995. |
| To be offered with Lots 191 and 193 | |
| LOT 192 | |
| (Coloured Yellow on Plan No.3) | |
|
A FREEHOLD GROUND RENT of £5 10s. 0d. per annum | |
| Leased for a term of 99 years from the 25th December, 1896, and secured upon | |
| Nos. 13, NUTLEY LANE | |
|
A brick built and slated Shop and Premises, containing:-Shop, Sitting Room, Kitchen, Three Bedrooms, W.C. The Lessee was granted permission to erect a shop front at the rental on one shilling, payable annually on the 24th day of June. The Lessor reserves the right to require the Lessee to remove such shop front and to reinstate the premises, subject to three month's notice. | |
| Assessed at £23 per annum. | Reversion Christmas, 1995. |
| To be offered with Lots 191 and 192 | |
| LOT 193 | |
| (Coloured Brown on Plan No.3) | |
|
A FREEHOLD GROUND RENT of £1 10s. 0d. per annum | |
| Leased for a term of 99 years from the 25th December, 1896, and secured upon | |
| A BLOCK OF STABLING | |
| situate at the rear of NUTLEY LANE | |
|
ACCOMMODATION:- A RANGE of brick built and tiled STABLING, comprising:-Loose Box, Store Room, Harness Room, Two-stall Stable, Three-stall Stable and Loft over; a brick built and slated Stable for sixteen Horses, open Cart Shed with W.C. and Copper House adjoining, Two brick built and tiled Pigsties Another brick built and tiled RANGE of STABLING, comprising:-a Three-stall Stable, Two-stall Stable, Harness Room with Three Lofts over, and a Coach-house. Company's water, gas and main drainage. | |
| Assessed at £98 per annum. | Reversion Christmas, 1995. |
| [ Lots 191, 192, and 193 Sold to Mr. A. B. Apted £300 ] | Back to plot map |
| LOT 194 | |
| (Coloured Blue on Plan No.3) | |
|
A Block of Four Freehold Cottages | |
|
KNOWN AS | |
| Nos. 15, 17, 19 and 21, NUTLEY LANE | |
|
Stone built and slated, each containing:-Living Room, Kitchen, Larder and Two Bedrooms outside W.C. and Coal Shed Company's gas, water and main drainage. TENANTS:-Mrs. M. Wood, Mr. J. Apps, Mr. W. Kingsland and Mr. C. Cotton TENANCIES:-Weekly, each at inclusive rentals of £15 12a.0d. per annum. A total rental of £62 8s. 0d per annum. | |
| Reversion Christmas, 1969. | |
| [ Lot 194 Sold to Mr. F.Hayden £425 ] | Back to plot map |
| LOT 195 | |
| (Coloured Yellow on Plan No.3) | |
|
Four Freehold Cottages and Gardens | |
|
KNOWN AS | |
| Nos. 23, 25, 27 and 29, NUTLEY LANE | |
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Company's gas, water and main drainage. TENANTS:-Mrs. Knight, Mr. G. King, Mrs. Crawley and Mrs. H. Rolfe. TENANCIES:-Weekly, each at inclusive rentals of £15 12a.0d. per annum. A total rental of £62 8s. 0d per annum. | |
| Reversion Christmas, 1969. | |
| [ Lot 194 Sold to Mr. F.Hayden £450 ] | Back to plot map |
| LOT 196 | ||
| (Coloured Pink on Plan No.3) | ||
|
TWO FREEHOLD GROUND RENTS Amounting to £12 per annum | ||
| and secured upon | ||
| Nos. 35 & 37, NUTLEY LANE | ||
|
Two brick built and slated Cottages, each containing:-Sitting Room, Kitchen, Scullery, Three Bedrooms and outside W.C. Leased for a term of 99 years from the 25th December, 1890, at per annum ... |
£4 0 0 | |
| Nos. 39 to 45 (odd), NUTLEY LANE | ||
| Four similar Cottages. Leased for a similar term at per annum ... | £8 0 0 | |
| ________ £12 0 0 |
||
| Assessed at £96 per annum. | Reversion Christmas, 1989. | |
| [ Purchased by Reigate Stocks, Shares and Estate Co. £250 ] | Back to plot map |
| LOT 197 | |
| (Coloured Green on Plan No.3) | |
|
A FREEHOLD GROUND RENT of £12 10s. 0d. per annum | |
| Leased for a term of 99 years from the 24th June, 1899, and secured upon | |
| Nos. 47 to 55 (odd), NUTLEY LANE | |
|
A row of Five brick built and slated Cottages, each containing:-Sitting Room, Kitchen, Scullery, Three Bedrooms, Outside W.C. | |
| Assessed at £95 per annum. | Reversion Midsummer, 1998. |
| [ Sold to Mr. A. B. Apted £225 ] | Back to plot map |
| LOT 198 | |
| (Coloured Blue on Plan No.3) | |
|
A FREEHOLD GROUND RENT of £6 0s. 0d. per annum | |
| Leased for a term of 99 years from the 24th June, 1899, and secured upon | |
| Nos. 57 to 65 (odd), NUTLEY LANE | |
|
A row of Five brick built and slated Cottages, each containing:-Sitting Room, Kitchen, Scullery, Three Bedrooms, Outside W.C. | |
| Assessed at £95 per annum. | Reversion Midsummer, 1998. |
| [ Sold to Mr. A. B. Apted £130 ] | Back to plot map |
| LOT 199 | |
| (Coloured Pink on Plan No.3) | |
|
A FREEHOLD GROUND RENT of £8 10s. 0d. per annum | |
| Leased for a term of 99 years from the 24th June, 1899, and secured upon | |
| Nos. 67, 69 and 71, NUTLEY LANE | |
|
Two brick built and slated Houses and Shops, and another House. ACCOMMODATION:- | |
|
No.67:-Sitting Room, Kitchen, Scullery, Three Bedrooms, Outside W.C. No.69:-Shop, Sitting Room, Kitchen, Scullery, Two Bedrooms, Outside W.C. No.71:-Corner Shop, Sitting Room, Kitchen, Scullery, and Two Bedrooms. Outside W.C. | |
| Assessed at £66 per annum. | Reversion Midsummer, 1998. |
| [ Sold to Mr. A. B. Apted £150 ] | Back to plot map |
We are indebted to Mary Blackie and Lisa Bowerman for the information that appears on this page.