Thrale history

Waterend Barn, St. Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire

Tree: UK Thrale family

Notes:

1938 relocation

In 1938 the barn was no longer needed for its original farming use and the Brocket Estate dismantled it - timber by timber, and re-assembled it on a site they owned in the middle of St Albans and let it as a restaurant. This was completed in 1939 and two brothers, Ralph Thrale 1905-1993 and William Thrale 1900-1977, who owned and ran a long-established local businesses took on the lease in conjunction with Lord Brocket.

In 2009 on a (since deleted) blog, John Whiley said:

The best days at the Barn were in 1941 when Thrales had the place. Every Thursday night a dance!

1964 expansion

In 1964, the site was enlarged with the addition of the 'Little Barn', brought over from Little Hormead about 25 miles from St Albans.

1967/8 retail frontage sale

The Thrales sold shops and offices on St. Peters Street fronting the Barn. This sale enabled the family to be freehold owners of the Waterend Barn free of outside liability. They added further additions including sole entry from the new Civic Centre. The old company was liquidated, and the firm of 'Thrale Partners' was formed.

1978 Thrale sale

In 1978 - after 40 years of Thrale ownership - the Thrale family sold to the Simmons family of Hatfield, another long-established family baking and catering business. Later it was run by the Coles family - Robert Coles is the grandson of the founder, Reg Simmons - using the trading name of Moorsom & Co. Ltd.

2005 Waterspoons pub

In 2005, Waterend Barn was refurbished as a Wetherspoons pub and continues to trade as Wetherspoons today.

Address : Latitude: 51.75260825, Longitude: -0.33738800846182