The Works

A Richard Smith occupied a building on this site in 1839/1845.
It may have been this Richard who, in 1851, was a butcher on London Street, Swaffham and farmed some 57 acres.

The business passed to his son John in 1865. On his retirement around 1880 Alfred Richard Smith, a farmer at Little Thornes, took over the butchery business.

Although a direct relationship has yet to be established amongst the various Smith family members and their long-lived connection with butchery, a connection is compelling. Walter Smith, also a butcher and who also farmed at the Thornes, lived at Oakleigh House for many years.

Around 1920 Charles Bayfield, another member of the Smith family, took over the business.

The 1921 census gives the manager as Robert Wilson and his employer as “Messrs. Bayfield and Coe” On Charles’ death in 1933 the national firm Baxter’s took over the butchery shop and the abattoir on Cley Road.

In its place came Pedlar’s Gold that same year. This was a well-stocked card, stationery, gift, art and craft shop.

When it closed in 2019 it was taken over by The Works, also a stationery, books and craft shop.

The Baxter’s chain was taken over by Dewhursts in 1985 but only eight years later Dewhursts closed and its long life as a butcher’s shop came to an end.