1760
Thomas Nunn - Brewer and inn keeper, White Lion Inn and Brewery. This occupied the site which encompases this building together with Nos 24 and 26 Victoria Street. (BSD)

1774
Thomas Nunn dies leaving the inn and brewery to his grandson. Thomas sells the business to John Woodcock of Halesworth.
John Woodcock leases it to William Crisp and John Thompson.(BSD)

1796
The White Lion Inn closes. (BSD)

1874
Henry Youngs runs the premises as a Beer House and Corn Chandlers. (W 1874)

1895
Arthur George Carter (1862-1944), Beer Retailer (SPM April 1895, K 1896). The establishment is billed as a Free House in advertisements.
Arthur Carter is the sixth son of the founder of B H Carter & Son whose building business is next door at Nos 14 - 18 Victoria Street. (Source: Andrew Bootman family research)

1933
A George Carter continues to manage the ale house as a Free House (SPM 1933)

The late J B Harris writes in his memoir of Southwold: "According to legend, the Royal...was a free house. It was also known as 'Carter's' and was entered by going round the back of the building. The argument was that Carter could refuse Adnams if it was not up to scratch, so his beer was always good. The beer, that is mild, that he sold was known as 'Carter's cream'. Customers would order 'Two pints of Cream!'". Reproduced by kind permission of the author's widow, Mary Harris.

1945
The Royal becomes an Adnams tied House. Arthur Brown takes over as landlord with his wife Annie Brown.