Tontine Buildings

The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, built by James Brindley, was completed in 1768, with a terminus at Stourport, on the River Severn; it provided a route for trade between the Midlands and the Severn. The inn was constructed about 1772 by the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Company. perhaps by Thomas Dadford, engineer of the company; it was part of the development of the location as a canal town. The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Company's fortunes declined after the Worcester and Birmingham Canal opened in 1816 and the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway opened in 1840. In the 1970s part of the building was a pub, and most of it was disused; plans were submitted by…

The importance of the building is described in the listing text: "Commercial buildings of pre 1840 date are uncommon: this is an exceptionally rare building, being a very early purpose built lodgings house with a strong canal connection." The original layout of the building has survived. The front of the building, on the south-west, of seven bays with casement windows and a central doorway, retains the original appearance, with the central brick porch added about 1870. Inside, original features include black and red quarry tiles on the ground floor, panelled doors, skirting boards and fireplaces. On the upper floor, the company boardroom, that was also used as a ballroom, survives.