38-40 St John Street

▪ Grade II listed building

▪ It was built in the 18th century

▪ Occupies an important focal position at bottom of the Market Place

▪ It was a drapery shop for perhaps more than 125 years

▪ Three generations of the Lister’s had the shop 1828-1924

▪ It became Burgon’s the grocers for about 50 years

▪ Since 1988 it has been a stationer’s, first Partner’s and now Ryman’s

Numbers 38-40 are on the south side of the street at the bottom of the Market Place.

The Building

Grade II listed building constructed of red brick in the 18^th century. Itis three storeys high and six windows on the first and second floors with sashes, added later, without glazing bars. The ground floor has a modern shopfront.

The brickwork containing the third windows from the left project out a little giving the building something of an odd symmetry. The reason for this is that the final windows on the right are part of a flying-freehold above the former passageway leading to 36 St John St.

The History of its Occupation and Use

The earliest known occupant of the building is William Riddlesden (1763-1828), a draper, who was probably doing business there from the late 18^thcentury (his name appears in the 1793 commercial directory). Upon his death in 1828, John Lister took over the business which was the start of almost 100years of the Lister’s drapery.

John Lister did not marry and by 1841 at the latest he was joined in business by his nephew John Wray Lister. In 1853, John Lister announced his retirement and that his nephew was continuing the business (see below). Note that, in common with other businesses on St John St, a Market Place address was given perhaps believing that was more prestigious than a St John St address. The commercial directories of the timegave the correct St John St address.

John Wray Lister was one of six town businessmen and dignitaries who were responsible for the building the Market Hall or Town Hall in 1861 (see below, fourth name down).

He passed away in 1885 but the business was continued in his name by his sons John and Robert William Lister.

John Wray Lister and his wife Lucinda had 11 children and, in the last available census of 1921, seven of them remained at home, unmarried, with ages from 56 to 67 years old.

In 1924, the Listers retired from business (see below left) and they were succeeded by Burgon’s the grocers (see below right).

In 1932, Burgon’s divided their shop into two, retaining one part with the other part being occupied by Barratt’s the butchers. Barratt’s were quickly succeeded by George Whybrow’s, another butcher, and then in 1936, Fredwyn’s ladies hairdressers replaced them. Both Burgon’s and Fredwyn’s gave their addresses as 40 St John St.

A 1949 photograph (see below) shows both Burgon’s and Fredwyn’s as well as their neighbours to the left Woolworth’s and Boot’s (42-44 St John St).

Fredwyn’s were is business until the early 1960s while Burgon’s was carried on until the early 1970s. In 1977 an Army and Navy store opened, first called Mac’s and later called Thass’ ,but this closed in 1987. Partner’s stationers opened in 1988 and they were succeeded by the present occupants Ryman’s who are also stationers in the 2000s. The photograph below taken in the early 1990s show Partner’s with Boot’s next door at 42 St John St.