Our picture this week is from 1984 and shows an advert for the newly opened ‘Reuben Langford Wine Bar & Buttery’ which stood at 26/27, Waters Lane, Salisbury.

The establishment claimed to be Salisbury’s first wine bar and was situated on the site of a house once occupied by Reuben Langford, an eminent member of the local community who lived in Waters Lane, in the parish of Fisherton Anger in the mid 1800s.

It was in memory of this popular character that the ‘Reuben Langford Wine Bar & Buttery’ took its name.

Indeed, I can still remember his portrait which was placed prominently behind the bar and where, beneath his benign gaze, the opulence of the Victorian era was re-created in the décor and furnishings.

The owner was Mark Osmond and with Max Sammann as manager, they offered wine from all over the world, and food prepared on the premises daily from fresh ingredients – even the bread was baked on site.

Among the specialities on the blackboard you could choose from mussels, quails eggs, fresh trout, prime fillet steak and always several cheeses on the cheese board.

Later, the ‘Reuben’ introduced live music and many local bands enjoyed playing before packed audiences.

After a change of name to Maxwell’s, it became Cactus Jacks in 1994 and many will remember it as a much-loved bar and Mexican restaurant until it finally called it a day in 2022.

Director of Cactus Jacks, Joanna Kings, told the Journal that she had been at the restaurant for 22 years, so “it was time for a change”.

After planning permission was granted, Fisherton Warehouse (which trades in a huge range of antique, retro & vintage items), extended their business into the old Cactus Jacks.

It really is a great place to browse and to enjoy a feast of nostalgia!