Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - The Board of Trade, Mercantile Marine Offices at Penarth Dock . . .

1928-1932 - The GWR prepared tenancy plans of the Penarth Dock and Ely Tidal Harbour following their enforced ownership of the docks under the 1921 Railways Act. By this date, the Marine Hotel, which formed part of the Mercantile Marine Office building, had closed its doors to the public and had been converted into residential flats.

A hand-written record upon one of the plans in the series records the following residents at the Marine Hotel Flats and states their weekly rent. You will note that they are all listed as living at 'Flat A', however, I am satisfied that these good people did not indulge in cohabitation! [252] [Wiltshire & Swindon Archive Ref: 2515/250/430]

The rent seems quite attractive in comparison to the present day : 5/- (5s. 0d.) equates to 25 new pence and 10/6 (10s. 6d.) to 52.5 new pence!

The Marine Hotel (presumably relating to its use as a hotel) situated within the Mercantile Marine Office Building was let to Messrs. S. A. H. Noel & Company in a lease with the G.W.R. for a term of 9½ years commencing 25th December 1923. S. A. H. Noel & Co. was a co-owner of the Roath Brewery, Bedford Place, Cardiff and resided, in 1919, at 24, Archer-street, Penarth. [663] - [Wiltshire & Swindon Archive Ref: 2515/250/430] [252]