24 St John Street

• Grade II listed timber cruck-framed building

• Interior dates to the 15th-17th centuries.

• Frontage was rebuilt in the 1960s

• Has been a chemist/druggist/health shop several times adding up to more than 100 years:

➢ Frederick Williamson Greaves 1856-96

➢ James Osborne 1919-47(?)

➢ Natural Choice 1992-Today

Lying between the Gingerbread Shop (26-28 St John St) and the former Horse & Jockey tavern/public house (22 St John St) on the south side of the street opposite Millenium Square.

The Building

Grade II listed timber cruck-framed building, probably built as three houses perpendicular to the street, with a modern brick façade and shop front. The listing suggests the building in 17^th century but judging by presence of the cruck framing, which was prevalent in the Middle Ages, it is likely to be 15^th century. A significant number of alterations have been made over the centuries including strengthening of the crucks to support a taller/heavier building.

The frontage we see today was added around the 1960s but old photographs from the 1890s and 1900s shows what it was like before (see below). This old frontage was likely of Georgian age and probably had to be replaced due to its deterioration.

Occupation and Use

The earliest known owner/occupier from 1779/80 is Thomas Blurton who is listed in the 1793 commercial directory as Sheriff’s Officer. Among the duties of a Sheriff was the administration of all the laws. In a newspaper notice he was listed as a bailiff (see below right).

When Thomas Blurton moved out 1799-1800, John Frith, who had married Thomas’ daughter Frances Blurton and was a brass founder, became the owner and Thomas Foster the occupier. Thomas Foster was probably the basket maker listed in the 1793 commercial directory.

The Burtons, who were next door at No. 22, the Horse & Jockey Inn, became the owners 1806-16, first Sarah, and then when she passed away in 1810, her son William. Thomas Foster remained as the occupier until 1812 when Henry Latham took his place.

Both No. 22 and No. 24 were put up for sale in 1815 (see below).

No later than 1818, James Howarth/Hoowarth (1770-1842), who was a hatter and furrier, became the owner and occupier. His son William (1806-50) and then William’s wife Elizabeth (1806-54) continued as furriers after James’ death.

Following the death of Frederick Williamson Greaves in 1896, ownership of 24 St John St remained with the Greaves family until 1919 when it was sold to James Osborne, chemist and druggist. In the late 1890s, Bernard Sowter, outfitter, took over the premises to be followed, between 1901-09, by G. H. Lovatt, who was a butcher (see photographs above).

From 1915-19(?), Rupert Marsden, grocer, who had married Frederick Williamson Greaves’ daughter Agnes Cristabella in 1887, was the occupant.

Prior to the sale to James Osborne in 1919, 24 St John St had been kept in the Hooworth/ Greaves/ Marsden family for perhaps more than 100 years:

James Osborne had had a chemist/druggist business on the north side of St John St at No. 19 since the 1870s and 24 St John St waspurchased as an outlet, factory and warehouse. He developed several of his own brand medicines including “Osborne’s Mixture for Epilepsy”, which was advertised in newspapers 1883-1910, and is reported to have had a worldwide reputation.

Osbornes continued at 24 St John St until the 1940s and then in 1948 the building was leased to Gregory & Lee, radio and electrical engineers.

Overthe years the nature of Gregory & Lee’s business changed and by the 1980s italso became a music shop (see below left). During the 1980s, the lower floor wasleased by Mark Dalton, the brother of Timothy Dalton who portrayed James Bond,as a video rental store (see below right).

In 1992, Gregory & Lee sold up and Steve & Roy Parker moved their Natural Choice business from 30-32 St John St to 24 St John St and it remains there today.

© PaulThompson 2025