Number 12 is located on the south side of St John Street, adjacent to Hood’s Yard, which takes its name from the tailor who occupied No. 10 during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The building dates from the late 18th century and is constructed of red brick beneath a tiled roof with an eaves cornice. It rises to three storeys and features wide sash windows with glazing bars on the upper floors, while the ground-floor shopfront is of later date.
The earliest known records of the property date to 1770, when it was owned by William Etches, a butcher. In 1787 it was acquired by Samuel Harlow, a clockmaker, who rebuilt the premises into the form largely seen today. After Harlow later moved away, the shop became occupied by a succession of drapers, reflecting the commercial character of the street.
Among its early tenants was Charles Hayward, followed by James Morris. In the mid-19th century the property passed into the hands of John Barnes, who established a successful outfitting business that evolved into John Barnes & Son and later Barnes, Son & Callow. In 1909 the shop became J. M. Callow, outfitters, trading for over 90 years.
In 2002 it became Graves of Ashbourne, which closed in 2019, leaving the shop vacant. It was purchased by The Hopton Hall Estate on the 13th July 2022. Renovation of this Grade II property began after planning permissions were granted and it has been transformed for the 21st century into the wonderful artspace we see today.
The renovation revealed many original features, and care has been taken to preserve them for our visitors to enjoy.