Corn Square

The first building plots on the south side of Corn Square were laid out in the 1100s by the monks from the Priory, as speculative development, creating shop units for rent which would create income. Originally, the plots ran all the way back to Etnam Street. School Lane was also part of the plan, allowing residents of Etnam Street quick access to the main market square. The present building is over 400 years old, and has been a meeting place for much of that time. The 1848 report from the Hereford Times reports a horse sale taking place there during Leominster Fair.

It is not clear what previous buildings on this site looked like. Judging by some of the exposed wood inside the current one, it is likely that there was a timber-framed building here by the 1600s. Like many other wooden buildings in Leominster, it was extended and given a brick frontage and new windows in the 1700s or early 1800s, as the town grew in wealth and importance. This was thought more modern and fashionable. The existence of an arched carriage entrance, the large front door, and a large cellar hatch, suggest the building may have been used as an inn or hotel in the 1700s.

By 1860, the large building had been converted into a Training & Industrial Home for girls. They were taught domestic skills, reading, writing, and maths, preparing them for a life as servants. By 1888, it had closed. The headmaster of the nearby Grange Academy moved his school into the building and renamed it Grange College.  It became co-educational, with boarding & day places. It had a very modern curriculum, and advertised adult classes, including women-only chemistry lessons.

In 1896, the Leominster News advertised that the boys’ department of Grange College would move to Dutton House on Etnam Street, whilst a small girls’ school remained in Corn Square.  By 1912 the girls had gone, but there was a boy’s school in Dutton House until the 1960s.

In the early 1900s, the building was converted again, as a base for the local branch of the Conservative Party. In 1921, it was renamed the Rankin Club, after a former Conservative MP for the town. The building is still in use as a club and Conservative party offices today.

The two buildings at 1 Corn Square and 27 Drapers Lane are both closely linked to the Southall family. The first Southall to live here was John, who moved in with his family in 1808, when he established his draper’s business. The family were Quakers, members of a significant religious community in the town, who served Leominster in many ways. Many of them wrote books and pamphlets, often about their faith. This led them to an interest in printing, as well as fabric, to spread their words. In 1858, the business and family home were taken over by John’s son, the 28-year-old John Tertius Southall. He bought the Leominster Printing Company, with his son, Arthur. Arthur later moved into the house, where he lived until 1923. He published several local newspapers, including the Leominster News. The Leominster Printing Company was still publishing papers until the 1960s.

Newspaper advertisements show that this shop and 27 Drapers Lane next door were mostly occupied by printers and tailors for the last 150 years. Edwin Storr worked as a tailor there until 1885, followed by CM Binyon until 1904. Thereafter, the premises were occupied by the Leominster Printing Company until the late 20th century. 

For a short period, the shop became the Tourist Information Centre for the town. It has now reverted to being a pub, with the name The Press Room, which looks back to its days as a printing and publishing shop.