Former Tissimans and Alexandra Wood premises in Bishop's Stortford suit Adnams for new beer, wine and spirit shop
One of Bishop's Stortford town centre's most historic buildings is set to become an Adnams shop selling beers, wines and spirits.
Sole Bay Brewery has asked East Herts Council for a premises licence for the former Tissimans gentleman's outfitters in High Street.
Nick Attfield, director of hospitality and retail at Adnams, said: "We're pleased to confirm that we have made an application for a licence to open an Adnams Shop at 10 High Street, Bishop's Stortford.
"If successful, we will open as soon as possible, adding to our portfolio of 12 existing shops, serving a wide range of our award-winning beers, spirits and wines.
"We look forward to welcoming and being of service to the residents and visitors of Bishop's Stortford very soon."
The building, latterly the home of bespoke tailor Alexandra Wood, has been a shop for more than four centuries. Parts of the premises date from about 1360, with more "modern" additions from around 1545.
Slaters was established in 1601 as a tailor, draper and undertaker. The earliest evidence of the name change to Tissimans was in the late 1800s.
Before it closed in February 2013, it was the oldest men's clothing establishment in the world which once provided liveries to royal servants at Windsor Castle and Sandringham House.
Savile Row tailor Alexandra revived its sartorial role in July 2016, but in August she moved to a new studio at Grandey's Place Heritage & Craft Centre at Green Tye.
Suffolk business Adnams also has a long history. In 1672, Southwold was the headquarters for the English fleet under the command of the Duke of York and witnessed the aftermath of the huge battle of Sole Bay.
George and Ernest Adnams purchased the Sole Bay Brewery from William Crisp in 1872. Two years later, the partnership was formally dissolved and in 1890 Adnams and Co was established and has remained independently run ever since.
The first Adnams store opened in 1987. The 12 branches across East Anglia, which also sell homewares and food, comprise an outlet in Saffron Walden as well as five in Suffolk – Southwold, Woodbridge, Aldeburgh, Bury St Edmunds and Hadleigh – five in Norfolk – Norwich (two), Holt, Harleston and Holkham – and one in Stamford, Lincolnshire.