Tanners Bridgnorth celebrates its centenary and 201 years since being founded!
This year marks a century of Tanners in Bridgnorth. As a company, we were established in Shrewsbury in 1842, but it was in 1926 that the Tanner family brought their name to High Town in charming old Bridgnorth, beginning a relationship with the town that continues to this day, taking on Thomas Whitefoot & Sons, an established wine merchant whose history stretched back to 1825. Trading from 36 High Street, Whitefoot’s had supplied wines and spirits to generations of Bridgnorth households, inns and businesses. Meaning this centenary also marks 201 years of an independent wine merchants on these premises.
The building itself is older still. Whilst much of 36 High Street dates largely from the mid-seventeenth century and has recent alterations, the cellars show evidence that the present building stands on earlier foundations. The picturesque frontage sports two remarkable carved figures which are thought to have come from an older building, perhaps even from the beautiful gallery that used to be at the back of the building, sadly long since gone. But the carvings survive, having been incorporated at some point into the facade.
Before it became home to Thomas Whitefoot & Sons, the building was known as the Pig and Castle, also the Cock and Castle Inn, welcoming travellers to Bridgnorth during the coaching era. This explains the long-lost gallery at the back. There is also an archway turning in from what was the old cartway, now a pretty street but retaining its narrow shape.
Over the centuries the building has served many purposes, including hosting Quarter Sessions – it was not uncommon to house these in an established (hopefully reputable) public house – these were held for more minor cases such as theft, in essence cases that were not severe enough to require the assizes but could not be dealt with summarily by the magistrates. Perhaps when walking around the branch, look about you and think of its eclectic past prior to becoming the home of Tanners Bridgnorth. How thrilling to be part of such a long and varied history.
Today, a century after a Tanner walked through the door, the Bridgnorth shop remains an important part of the Tanners story. Whilst the world of wine has changed beyond recognition since 1926, the values have remained much the same: independence, knowledge and good service. One hundred years on, Tanners is proud to still be part of the fabric of Bridgnorth, building on the legacy of those who came before while looking to the next century. Cheers to you all!
