Description:A composite postcard with three scenes of Stafford. The views are St Mary's Church, Church Lane, and Victoria Park and Bridge.
The Church Lane view includes Minshull's Restaurant on the left which opened in 1977. Previously it was known as ‘The Old Soup Kitchen’ restaurant. After Minshull’s closed the restaurant was re-opened in 1981 and was advertised as the 16th century Soup Kitchen, Coffee and Eating House. It has been owned by the Sandy family for over 30 years and currently (2026) is run by Duncan Sandy.
The Soup Kitchen was started by Thomas Salt (later Sir Thomas) and was mainly funded by contributions from him. It first appears in the 1871 Census and was still in operation in 1901. However, several teachers, presumably from the nearby St. Mary's School were lodging there. The 1911 Census shows Mary Jane Burrows ages 56 as the "Matron" of the Public Soup Kitchen.
The postcard was posted from Stoke-on-Trent in 1982 to an address in the Isle of Man. It is a Colourmaster International postcard published by Photo Precision Limited of St. Ives, Huntingdon, Cambs.