Some years ago I had the opportunity of looking over the old premises of Messrs. Higgins (later Lloyds) the chemist, and these premises must be some of the oldest on the Blue Boar Row.

Here there stood The Parade Coffee Tavern, the Blue Boar then being called "The Parade," and after a quick look round it was quite simple to visualise our ancestors gathered for their drinks and meals, for this, indeed was one of the chief meeting places in the city.

In 1784 it was supported by subscribers who used it as a club until 1785 when it was taken over by William Penny carried it on as a tavern and coffee house.

A good billiard table was added and gentlemen who also lodged in the house could indulge in all the gossip of the day.

In the powering closet was a large bath which was reached by lifting up the hinged floor boards and the water was heated by tossing in hot bricks!

By 1804 things had changed and the establishment was put up to let and it remained unoccupied until 1808.

Eventually the lease was purchased by Mr. Robert Squarey, a chemist and druggist, who moved into the premises from the Oatmeal-Row.

Robert Squarey had originally established himself as a chemist in Silver Street in 1802.

Around 1850 the business was bought by Read and Orchard who became important chemist selling drugs all over the country.

In the mid 19th century Read and Orchard had in their employment one William 'John' Storer, who died in Fisherton Prison after a notorious poisoning case which shook Salisbury to the core.

Ruby Vitorino Moody has made a fascinating study of this case and will reveal all at the Salisbury History Festival True Crime Conference on Saturday, August 26.

Tickets are available from the Rocketship and History Bookshops, Salisbury.