Edward Hearn "again applied for a licence to sell malt liquor on his premises" Monday 23rd August 1880. Refused.

Seemingly operating as an off-licence to at least 1916, although licensee Mr. Hearn referred to his property as a beerhouse in 1882.

At the licensing session held Monday 29th August 1881, William Hearn made an application for a licence to sell beer on the premises. He proved that the appropriate notices had been published in newspapers and provided plans of the building and certificates to his character. He proved that notices to the overseers had been posted on church doors as well as on his own house. There were then four rooms in the house, the front room measuring 12ft by 14ft and a second room was about the same size. There were two low rooms and a shop and one large room at the back. He held a licence to sell beer off the premises. He had been convicted of selling beer which had been consumed too close to his premises.
The vicar and several others produced a petition against the application saying there was insufficient accommodation.
The Bench refused the application.

At the Downham Petty Sessions held Saturday 26th July 1882, Edward Hearn applied for a licence for beer and spirits to be consumed on the premises.
Messrs. Hogge & Seppings opposed the application.
Mr. Hearn said that he had spent a good deal of money over the previous twelve months, making the house suitable to be licensed.
He was often asked for wine and spirits by the public.
His house was by the side of the road along the 14 miles from Lynn to Stoke Ferry.
It was four miles from his house to Stradsett Folgate and nearly two miles to Setch Bull.
There were two public houses in Wormegay (Crown & Red Lion) and one beerhouse (?), besides his own. The nearby houses were owned by Mr. Seppings.

The population of Wormegay was about 500 but the nearest public house was in Tottenhill (Dray & Horses, just over half a mile) and it was a mile to the nearest house in Wormegay (Crown) . Fodderston Gap (Two Brewers) was nearly two miles away by high road.
It was in 1878 that he had first made an application for an indoor licence and since the last application he had added two sitting rooms and two bedrooms, plus a cellar to the house.
Mr. H. M. Wilkin, auctioneer and surveyor confirmed that his inspection of the house had determined that it was very well built, light and airy and suitable for the proposed purpose. It was valued at about £17 or £18 a year.

As well as opposition from the brewers Hogge & Seppings, there was a memorial against the house signed by the vicar Mr. Henslowe, Mr. Hoff, Mr. King (overseer) and others. It was noted that some of the signatures were from persons in Watlington and Shouldham and it was argued that such non-residents had no place to object. Why not ask people from Lynn, Norwich or other places as well?
The Magistrates of divided opinion, dismissed the application.