What was this building?

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I've just parked by it for a few minutes and seen it in the flesh for the first time, it does look a little better than the photo might suggest.

It's called The Cocoa House, for some reason - anybody know why?
 

finnback

Well-Known Forumite
The building was constructed by the owners of various shoe factories in the area in the 19th century. The north end of town appeared not to have running water (?) at the time and the workers in the factories only had the offer of "pub" refreshment at lunch time. Therefore, production in the afternoon would taper off.....
The owners clubbed together and built what was an early version of Costa but with the main brew being hot chocolate. If you look at the two reliefs either side of the keystone you'll notice that they are cocoa plants.
Hence....The Cocoa House
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
In slightly better days, 1974.


260wgoi.jpg
After the RAOB Social Club there closed didn't Don Draper let 'the Buffs' use the upstairs room of the Lord Nelson ?
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
The building was constructed by the owners of various shoe factories in the area in the 19th century. The north end of town appeared not to have running water (?) at the time and the workers in the factories only had the offer of "pub" refreshment at lunch time. Therefore, production in the afternoon would taper off.....
The owners clubbed together and built what was an early version of Costa but with the main brew being hot chocolate. If you look at the two reliefs either side of the keystone you'll notice that they are cocoa plants.
Hence....The Cocoa House
Or a Victorian 'pub with no beer'?
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
The building was constructed by the owners of various shoe factories in the area in the 19th century. The north end of town appeared not to have running water (?) at the time and the workers in the factories only had the offer of "pub" refreshment at lunch time. Therefore, production in the afternoon would taper off.....
The owners clubbed together and built what was an early version of Costa but with the main brew being hot chocolate. If you look at the two reliefs either side of the keystone you'll notice that they are cocoa plants.
Hence....The Cocoa House
I can't find anything specifically about the Stafford one, but there is this about a very similar institution in Nantwich.

https://nantwichmuseum.org.uk/permanent-exhibitions/nantwich-buildings/cocoa-house-cocoa-yard/
 
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