The building at 50/51 High Street dates back to at least 1775, when it was the home of a draper. In May 1817 Samuel Parkinson took the premises, trading as a grocer and tea dealer. He also made confectionery and eventually Parkinson’s was to become famous for one of its specialities, butterscotch.
In the 1890s the family sold the business to Samuel Balmforth and Alec Wilson, although the name ‘Parkinson and Son’ was retained. Balmforth was a good businessman who introduced many innovations, one of which was the restaurant.