27 HIGH STREET • GRADE II LISTED (NHLE ENTRY #1294384)
Over a Century of Life at
27 High Street.
The Ecclian occupies the historic single-storey timber-pilastered shopfront at 27 High Street, Eccleshall, Stafford, United Kingdom, ST21 6BW — officially protected since April 1980 under Historic England Grade II List Entry 1294384.
1930s ARCHIVE • 27 HIGH STREET
The 1930s “Lyons Tea” Refreshment Rooms & Hunt Meet
This rare archival photograph captures the local Fox Hunt and village police sergeant outside 27 High Street. The single-storey pedimented shopfront is unmistakable — bearing a “LYONS TEA” enamel plaque above the right-hand doorway and “Refreshments” lettering along the stallriser.
PRESENT DAY • 27 HIGH STREET
Preserved Victorian Timber Pediment & Pilasters
Designated Grade II listed on 25 April 1980 (List Entry 1294384, catalogued by Historic England under “27, High Street”), the late-19th-century moulded timber facade, scrolled console brackets, stone base, and classical pediment remain intact today as The Ecclian.
SIX CHAPTERS OF ECCLESHALL HISTORY
From the 1903 Plough Shop
to The Ecclian
1. The 1903 Plough Shop: Constructed in the late 19th century, local archives record 27 High Street in 1903 as an agricultural ironmonger displaying horse-drawn single ploughs along the High Street pavement.
2. 1930s Lyons Tea & Refreshment Rooms → 1950s Water Rates Office: In the interwar years, villagers gathered here for Lyons Tea and refreshments (as seen in our 1930s Hunt photograph) before the premises became the town’s mid-century Water Rates Office and later the long-running Eccleshall Pet Shop until 2014.
3. Merckx Belgian Bar (2015) → The Ecclian (Present): First converted into a hospitality venue in July 2015 as Merckx Belgian Bar, the Grade II listed premises at 27 High Street were lovingly restored by publican Martin Peet — exposing the lofty oak-beamed ceilings, building an extraordinary spirits vault of over 100 gins and whiskies alongside four rotating cask handpulls, and naming The Ecclian in honour of the volunteer Ecclian Society.
DOCUMENTARY VAULT • INSIDE 27 HIGH STREET
The Ecclian & Love Your Local Films
Step inside our 1900 Plough Shop on Eccleshall’s historic coaching road — featuring original high oak-beamed ceilings, over 100 gins and whiskies, four rotating cask ales, Belgian Trappist beers, and the story behind our name.
“No loud televisions, no fruit machines, and no noisy sports broadcasts. Just perfectly kept real ale, extraordinary spirits, and genuine conversation.”
Martin Peet, Publican (Heart of Staffordshire CAMRA Profile)
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Tavern Values
CAMRA Good Beer Guide
We take pride in our official CAMRA listing and Heart of Staffordshire CAMRA feature. Every firkin is conditioned to perfection in our cellar.
Community & BYO Food
We champion local High Street eateries. Pick up dinner from our neighbours, bring it into 27 High Street, and let us pour the perfect beer or spirit to match.
No Pretension
Yes, we stock over 100 gins and whiskies. But we are a welcoming village boozer, not a pretentious cocktail bar. Pull up a stool and make yourself at home.