Tutankhamun’s Emporium

HOUSE. Later bank and house, now shops and accommodation. 3 storeys in 5-window range. Ground floor with 2 C20 shop fronts.
Late C18. Used as bank and house early C20,
2 shops since 1970s. Grade II listed

It may have been here where William Howarth lived as a wine merchant and brewer. He was the first known landlord of The Grapes, next door, and so perhaps that may also have been his home.

Despite bankruptcy in 1842 he continued in his trade and described himself as a wine merchant in the censuses between 1851 and 1871, always between Smith and the Trundle shop. At some time between 1871 and 1881 he moved to the East side, possibly on retirement, to live near The Angel Inn.

In the 1865 national election Swaffham rioters threw stones at police and smashed the windows at Mr Howarth’s and Mr Trundle’s premises. At the time Swaffham was “the political and administrative centre of West Norfolk.” (Lynn News 29 July 1865). Here the nominations were made, the central committee for each political party was located and the aggregate returns completed.

Before elections became private affairs polling days in Swaffham were very boisterous affairs with parades from both Conservatives and Whigs approaching the town; one from Lynn Street and the other from Castleacre Road with banners, bands, noise and hustling round the booths set out on the Marketplace.

This half of the building opened as The International Stores, probably around 1905. It closed in 1976 – a great shock to the town. “one of the few stores in these days which shoppers can chat with an assistant who has been a sort of friend for years.” (Lynn Advertiser–Tuesday 24th February 1976).

In the 1980s it was NSS and later Ciclic opened here as an antique shop before Tutankhamun’s Bistro launched in 2021.