I notice that the building that once housed Lloyds Pharmacy in the Blue Boar Row has now been sold. This building has quite a history and at one time it was known as ‘The Parade Coffee House’.

Back in 1784 it was supported by subscribers who used it as a club. Here the members could indulge in all the gossip of the day whilst reading from their newspapers in luxurious comfort.

Many people back then referred to the Blue Boar Row as The Parade because of its popularity - indeed, it was one of the chief meeting places in the city. Gentlemen could also lodge in the house where the powering closet housed a bath which was reached by lifting up the hinged floor boards - the water was heated by tossing in hot bricks!

This ancient relic still remains in an upstairs room as do the tiled fireplaces and wonderful staircases. It is little wonder that for many years the establishment was used as lodgings of the High Sheriff of Wilts at the Assizes.

The Parade Coffee House was also used for lectures. In 1792 Dr Graham presented ‘Health, very Long Life and Happiness’. He introduced his newly-discovered system of earth-bathing “as a cure for all the ills that flesh is heir to.”  By way of illustration he exhibited himself, and some credulous people who had been his patients, buried to the chin in the garden of the establishment for two hours at a time!

I consider myself lucky to have visited this property with photographer Spencer Mulholland because these premises must be some of the oldest on the Blue Boar Row. During our short visit it was easy to visualise our ancestors gathered there and enjoying life from a bygone era. 

After the demise of Parade Coffee House, the lease was eventually purchased by Mr. Robert Squarey, a chemist and druggist who traded there for many years.

Around 1850 the business was bought by the chemist Read and Orchard who became an important pharmaceutical business selling drugs all over the country. Higgins the Chemist and Lloyds Pharmacy also traded from the building.