Halsey's Delicatessen and Tearooms

Halsey's Tearooms

No. 9 Market Place, Hitchin is now the home of 'Halsey's Delicatessen and Tearooms', but it was discovered when some alteration work was being done forty or so years ago, and a Tudor fireplace was found, that the building dates back to as far back as 1500.  The fireplace, when cleaned, showed various scratchings with many dates, the earliest being around that time.

In the 16th century a survey of Hitchin Rectory taken by Trinity College, suggested the building was once part of  'The Parsonage House '

From 1767-1847 the building was a public house called 'The Artichoke'. Reginald Hine described in his 'History of Hitchin' how a football match was played in the town in 1772, and the ball was kicked in the doorway of the Artichoke.  Gypsy, Frederick Draper who was born in 1797 and lived until he was 105 had a standing engagement to play his fiddle in the Artichoke.

From 1878-1926 the building was first used by Martha Flint (milliner), later Martha Flint's & Ebenezer Allsop and finally Ebenezer Allsop (gent's milliner).   Halsey's staff through the years have often claimed to have seen the ghostly presence of Martha Flint.  Martha Flint did live on the property for some time with her apprentice, Beatrice Haydon.

In 1948, the building became G.W. Halsey & Son.  Many years later it was bought out by Jacksons of Picadilly Ltd, but still traded in the traditional Hitchin name.

In January 2006 Kirsty and Damian Caldwell bought the business.  Their website can be found HERE

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My best selling ebook Her Last Lie is available HERE  All ebook royalties go to Cancer Research UK in memory of my amazing sister. Her Last Lie is a psychological thriller, with a  chapter devoted to Hitchin, and the main character lives in Letchworth.