Research and photographs supplied by Len Ware

The history of 19 Town Street

The building’s former occupants and businesses, documented through Len Ware’s research and photographs. Dates are approximate where records are incomplete.

The Madhatters shopfront at 19 Town Street, with two maisonette windows above — 19 Town Street today: the Madhatters frontage. Photograph supplied by Len Ware.

1750–1884

Town Street and the Rectory Manor

Len Ware’s research places the building in the wider history of Town Street and the Rectory Manor. A map dated 1750 and an account by Dr Frederick Porter Smith from 1884 help trace the changing neighbourhood around it.

A historic map of the Town Street and Rectory Manor area — Map identified in Len Ware’s research as dating to 1750. Somerset Reference Library; supplied by Len Ware.

1881–early 1970s

The changing street address

Today’s No. 19 has not always carried that number. Len’s account traces No. 7 to the numbering introduced in 1881, then No. 9 from 1904. Changes to Town Street in the early 1970s brought another renumbering and its current address.

That changing address matters when following the people and businesses recorded here.

Moon and Son letterhead showing the address 9 Town Street — A 1914 letterhead records No. 9 Town Street. Supplied by Len Ware.

Recorded in 1889

Nancy Byrt Welch’s drapery

Nancy Byrt Welch is listed as a draper in an 1889 business directory. Recollections written by Mrs Agnes Laver in 1950 connect her and her three daughters with the earlier shop here.

Early records do not always give a street number, so this part of the story depends on bringing several sources together.

An archival view along Town Street — Town Street: neighbourhood context, not an identified photograph of the drapery. Supplied by Len Ware.

From 1904

Moon’s bakery and café

By 1904, according to Len’s account, the Moon family was trading from the premises then known as No. 9 Town Street.

Records from 1931–1939 describe pastries, confectionery, tea and refreshments, with rooms for visitors.

An advertisement for G. H. Moon and Son, bakers and confectioners at 9 Town Street — Moon & Son advertisement, labelled 1908 in the supplied collection. Image supplied by Len Ware.

After 1945–1988

Stan and Pat Lewis’s butcher’s shop

After returning from naval service following the Second World War, Stan Lewis joined his father’s trade and later opened his own shop in the former Moon’s café. Len’s account brings together local memories of personal service and the familiar atmosphere of a traditional butcher’s.

His research records the shop’s closure on 6 May 1988. The precise date it first opened here remains to be established.

Lewis advertisement giving its earlier shop address as 63 Town Street — Lewis family business history: this advert names 63 Town Street, a different premises. Supplied by Len Ware.

21st century

Madhatters café

For many people, the building is remembered as Madhatters: a small café with an Alice in Wonderland identity, serving breakfasts, sandwiches and hot drinks.

The Madhatters name remains on the shopfront. Its opening date is still being researched.

Madhatters café with its outdoor tables — An earlier photograph of the Madhatters café at 19 Town Street.

2026 onwards

Interim Spaces’ acquisition and plans

Interim Spaces is exploring future uses for the café and maisonette with the community, alongside plans to restore the building and host temporary activities downstairs.

The café interior before refurbishment — The ground-floor café, July 2026. Project photograph.

See the project timeline

About the research

This introduction draws on “Today’s No.19, Town Street” by Len Ware, alongside his supplied photographs. His acknowledgements include Somerset Reference Library, Somerset Records, business directories, local publications and photograph collections.

The history is being developed as further dates and image credits are checked. If you have memories or information about the building, we’d like to hear from you.