Rear of Thorn & Co., Gaolgate Street, Stafford

Description:This view taken on Salter Street looks through a gateway into the rear yard of Thorn & Co., whose ironmongers and builders merchants shop was round the corner at 37 Gaolgate Street. The yard included warehouses, workshops and a tin-plating works.

John and Henry Thorn originated in Wells, Somerset. John advertised the opening of their ironmongers business at 37 Gaolgate Street in 1867, after purchasing an old established ironmongery and agricultural equipment business founded in 1744 by John Turnock, which later became Turnock & Dickenson. As well as being furnishing ironmongers, Thorn & Co., were agricultural implement dealers, gas fitters, locksmiths, bell hangers and tin-smiths.

In 1870 John Thorn advertised for an intelligent youth to become an apprentice sheet iron and tin-plate worker and by 1871 he employed four men. Henry came to Stafford in 1873 and took over the business from his brother when John retired in 1880. Charles Whittle, who had been the Manager since 1877, became Henry's business partner in 1906 and then the shop was reorganised into five showrooms. Henry died in 1911 and his youngest brother, Arthur, took over as Chairman until his death in 1913. The business continued until the late 1960s. Between 1994 and 2004 it was a Max Spielman photography shop, and now (2025) it is occupied by the Yum Yum sweet shop.

In later years the yard buildings were demolished and the area was redeveloped to make way for the Salter Street service road.