"That on the application of the owners Messrs. Townsley and French, the street on their property situate off Upper Newtownards Road, hitherto known as Gilbert Street be named Townsley Street." (14th January 1908).
It would appear that Townsley Street is likely to have been named after William Townsley from East Belfast a member of the Ulster Licensed Vinters’ Association (at the time of his death he owned three licensed premises).