Beerhouses

In 1830, in a rare attack of liberalism, beerhouses were created. Intended to usher in an era of free trade in beer, licences were issued for beer-only pubs directly from the Excise, outside the control of local licensing magistrates. This was changed in 1869, when such licences came under control of the justices.

However, beerhouse licences which had existed before that date were given some protection. And couldn't be revoked as easily as full licences (ones allowing the sale of all alcoholic drinks).

Two Classes of “old On-Licences."- Beerhouse licences, beer and wine on-licences, and cider on-licences which were in force on May 1, 1869, and have since remained continuously in force, were specially protected as regards the grounds upon which their renewal might be refused by the Wine & Beerhouse Acts of 1869 and 1870. The protection so given to them was preserved in a modified form by the Act of 1904. Licences so protected are hereinafter spoken of as protected or ante-1869 beerhouse licences. Old on-licences of the same kind which either were not in force on May 1, 1869, or, having been in force at that date, have not since remained continuously in force, do not enjoy this protection, and are herein after spoken of as unprotected beerhouse licences. Full licences are also outside this protection, and must be deemed to be included whenever in the following paragraph is unprotected old on-licences are spoken of.
Brewers' Almanack 1915, page 257.

There was a specific list of circumstances which allowed for the removal of beerhouse licences:

(2) Ante-1869, or Protected Licences. In the case of protected beerhouse licences--that is to say, of beerhouse licences, beer and wine on-licences and cider on-licences--which were in force on May 1, 1869, and have since remained continuously in force in respect of the samepremises, the justices may not refuse to renew without compensation on any ground other than the following:

 1. That the applicant has failed to produce satisfactory evidence of good character.
 2. That the house or shop in respect of which the licence is sought, or any adjacent house or shop owned or occupied by the person applying for the licence is of a disorderly character, or frequented by thieves, prostitutes, or persons of bad character.
 3. That the applicant, having personally held a licence for the sale of wine, spirits, beer, or cider, the same has been forfeited for his misconduct, or that he has through misconduct been at any time previously adjudged disqualified from receiving any such licence or from selling any of the said articles.
 4. That the applicant or the house in respect of which he applies is not duly qualified as by law is required.
Brewers' Almanack 1915, page 258. 

The licensing authorities really didn't like prostitutes and thieves.