From the uneven flooring, low ceiling, steep stairs and wonderful timber structure, this very charming building is characterized with a rich history that stretches from the 17th century, probably in the reign of James 1.
Centuries ago, this interesting historic building, was originally built as a 3-bay chimney house of 2 storeys and a cellar, with a queen-post roof . During then, to the south of this building, there was an adjacent cottage until at least 1870, which was later demolished to form the present entry (presumably to provide access to the stable yard).
The Guildford Museum’s first record of this building was in 1839, when it was known to have been either a grocer’s or pork butchers run by John Clark(e). During the time, Chapel Street had a number of Butchers’ premises and the building on the corner of the High Street (now known as “Jack Wills”) was known as “The Butcher’s Arms” and the slaughterhouse, situated on the alleyway beside the now “W.H.Smith” was commemorated by the name “The Shambles”.
In about 1875, H. Heather took over from J.Clark(e), then H.Ward acquired the business, handing over to W. Johnson in about 1898. The Johnson family ran the grocers / butchers for over half a century until about 1954.
From then on, this premises was known as “Porter’s Television and Radio Shop” until the mid-1960s. Thereafter, it became a needlework shop known as “The Sewing Box”.
In 1980, this building housed its first restaurant called “Coppers”. It was then renamed “James 1” in 1985 before briefly becoming “Carters” in 1987. The following year, in 1988, an Italian Restaurant was established here before “Matahari, cuisine of the Far-East” took over in the Year 2003 and is now running as one of Guildford’s premier Far-Eastern Fusion Cusine Restaurant.
Centuries ago, this interesting historic building, was originally built as a 3-bay chimney house of 2 storeys and a cellar, with a queen-post roof . During then, to the south of this building, there was an adjacent cottage until at least 1870, which was later demolished to form the present entry (presumably to provide access to the stable yard).
The Guildford Museum’s first record of this building was in 1839, when it was known to have been either a grocer’s or pork butchers run by John Clark(e). During the time, Chapel Street had a number of Butchers’ premises and the building on the corner of the High Street (now known as “Jack Wills”) was known as “The Butcher’s Arms” and the slaughterhouse, situated on the alleyway beside the now “W.H.Smith” was commemorated by the name “The Shambles”.
In about 1875, H. Heather took over from J.Clark(e), then H.Ward acquired the business, handing over to W. Johnson in about 1898. The Johnson family ran the grocers / butchers for over half a century until about 1954.
From then on, this premises was known as “Porter’s Television and Radio Shop” until the mid-1960s. Thereafter, it became a needlework shop known as “The Sewing Box”.
In 1980, this building housed its first restaurant called “Coppers”. It was then renamed “James 1” in 1985 before briefly becoming “Carters” in 1987. The following year, in 1988, an Italian Restaurant was established here before “Matahari, cuisine of the Far-East” took over in the Year 2003 and is now running as one of Guildford’s premier Far-Eastern Fusion Cusine Restaurant.
