OCTOBER 2024

The Tap at no 76 (formerly Café 76)

This quirky and historical building dates back to the age of Queen Elizabeth 1 and displays many original Elizabethan and Georgian beams and other recycled artefacts and bricks.

Number 76 Market Street was for many years occupied by a succession of hatters and clothiers, including Thomas Tunnicliffe of The Cellular Clothing Company which sold Christy’s hats, dent gloves and Jargerwear (1912 – 1925) In 1936 the building was also used as a sweet shop.

During the war years, Mrs Bellamy sold school uniforms and other drapery. Her son-in-law, a Canadian, when de-mobbed from the services, took over the premises and Café 76 was born.

Later years saw different proprietors of the café until the Hicken’s father and son took over the running of the premises until the business closed in 2015.

Between July and November 2016, Tollgate Brewery (which had previously relocated to The National Trust Calke Abbey Estate in 2012) extensively converted the building to a micro pub called The Tap at no 76. As part of the buildings transformation they relocating the outside staircase and created 2 stunning flats above and behind the pub area. Another interesting part of the development was the glass-ceilinged extension at the back of the bar which allows visitors to see part of the original Tudor jettying (which is a building technique used in medieval timber –frame buildings in which an upper floor projects beyond the dimensions of the floor below) There was also a pair of 16^th/17^th Century spurs found during building works and are now displayed in Ashby Museum.

There were many challenges facing Director Kevin Elliot and his team with managing this Listed Building Grade II project but the end result was worth it! And with investment and hard work from the shareholders and friends they have transformed the business model significantly since 2016.

Tollgate Brewery supplies cask, bottled and keg beers to 3 pubs (included 76) a brewery tap (Milking Parlour hostelry) and trade customers throughout the year. The Company also produce beers to celebrate The National Forest brand and their ongoing effort to support environmental regeneration (ie to repurpose the waste from each brew to be eventually be used for animal feed).

As previously mentioned, in 2012 Tollgate Brewery relocated to The National Trust Calke Abbey Estate (Southwood House Farm) in response to the Estates desire to reintroduce brewing. In the 1800’s, Calke Abbey Brewery actually provided beer for their estate workers (5-6 pints a day) with the prevailing belief that drinking beer contributed to good health, while water consumption led to illness!

Tollgate Brewery continues its legacy in one of the National Trust nineteenth century buildings (The Milking Parlour, Southwood House Farm) operating as a 6 barrel brewery using traditional methods reminiscent of the 1800,s. The Tap at no 76 continues to offer a wide range of craft beers coupled with many food events which can be enjoyed in beautiful surroundings!