Built in 1822 by Thomas Farnell a local pub landlord, the building was first occupied by a Quaker corn mill owner, Robert Ellis, and the steps soon became known by it's present name, Robert lived there with his local wife and sold and stored corn and meal on the premises.
Eventually it became the 'Vine Tree Inn' beer house, and remained so until 1933, it's last use being that of a Polish goods shop until it was eventually demolished circa 1970.
It's heyday was in the 1870s when the landlord was Thomas Hutton, who also ran a cab business, the first in the town, he eventually expanded this to include a hearse for public funerals. His hobby was that of a pig breeder and he won many prizes and judged at local shows. In 1881 the census listed a comedian living at premises nearby who regularly entertained to packed houses at the little inn.
When Tom, as he was affectionately known locally, died in 1897 aged 71, still running his cab business, shopkeepers shut their premises as a mark of respect on the day of his funeral, and the route was lined with many locals, no doubt using his own hearse for the ceremony.
A 1919 sales catelogue lists the premises as consisting of;
Ground Floor; Tap Room, Filling bar, 2 Smoke Rooms, Kitchen and urinal.
First Floor; 2 bedrooms.
Second Floor;2 attics.
Basement; 2 Ale cellars, Wash cellar, Coal cellar.
Now all that's left of this lively inn are these steps and the little cobbled street it once stood on.
