An interesting little snippet of fact, for those writing historical fiction and accounts of Burslem. We might casually assume that a modern 5.30pm closing-time had been norm since the 1860s, but it wasn’t so. Actually the shops, and presumably also the eateries, were open very late into the evening. I guess the attitude was, “if there’s trade to be had, we stay open”.

This is from a 1953 Coronation booklet issued by the town’s Traders, which gives a short outline history of the trading associations.