30 St John Street

▪ Grade II listed timber framed building

▪ Continuation of 26-28 St John St

▪ Likely late 15th century but listing suggests 17th century

▪ Façade retains fake timbering

▪ From 1821-65 was a hairdresser’s

▪ Then a boot and shoemaker’s for about 70 years

▪ Became a hairdresser/barber again in 2019

Number 30 is on the south side of the street opposite to Millennium Square.

The Building

It is a timber framed house of two storeys with plain eaves and machined tiles. The first-floor is jettied (overhanging the ground floor) and has an 18th century 6x6 sash window. It is rendered with fake timbering (late 19^th / early 20^th century) the pattern of which was also seen on historic photographs of the Gingerbread Shop. The ground floor shop front is 19th century and has pilasters.

The History of its Occupation and Use

The commercial directory of 1828-29 puts Samuel Bartholomew, perfumer and hairdresser, on the premises. He was succeeded by William Wilson, also a hairdresser, in 1831 (see advertisement below left) who would remain there for some 34 years until 1865 (see advertisement below right).

It was reported in 1866, that William Wilson had died at the age of 73 on the “Plains of Utah” having emigrated to America with his family in 1865 immediately after the sale of the house. They were on their way to Salt Lake City.  

The next occupants were the Gregorys, boot and show makers, who would remain therefor about 70 years (until at least 1936). First came John Gregory and then,after his death in 1912, his daughter Elizabeth. No occupant of 30 St John St was listed in the 1941 commercial directory and little information from 1940-2008 has been found (1987-89: B & C Wines; 1989-91: Natural Choice; 1994: Heroes for Clothes).

The earliest Google Street View in 2009 shows 30 St John St occupied by The Cob Stop (see below) who were there until 2016. Janet Rodney’s clothes alteration business was there 2017-18 and since 2019 it has been the Turkish Barber’s.