This fairly small shop was a butcher's shop from at least the 1850s until the early 1990s.
It is the only shop on the High St that was in the same use for virtually all of the 20th century.
What was it about it that made it so suitable? It's hard to tell. It may have located there because of its proximity to the Shambles, the meat market
(which was converted into a Library in 1906).
There was originally access to the rear through the doorway to the right and possibly via Goldsmith's Lane however neither
were really large enough for beasts and any slaughter yard must have been very small.
In addition, from the 1920s to the 1980s there would have been motorized traffic on the High Street meaning the access from the front was difficult.
There were some sheds at the rear however and presumably the premises were kitted out well with butchery equipment
that made it attractive to each succeeding occupant.
These occupants all came from established families in the butcher's business so would not have taken it on unless it was seen to be suitable.
- Approx 1890 - 1911 Frank William Riley: Butcher
- 1911 - 1938 Herbert Sanders: Butcher
- 1938 - 1960 Sidney Frederick Hare: Butcher
- 1961 - approx. 1982 George Adams & Sons: Butcher
- ? Cobb: Butcher
