Address: 74 Micklegate, York, YO1 6LF (now The Lawrance)
Description
A narrow sign spanning the entire width of the building proudly displays “Harvey-Scruton LTD”, marking the legacy of a family-run chemist.
History
Harvey-Scruton LTD was once a cherished family-run chemist. The interior of the building retained a charmingly old-fashioned feel, with walls painted dark brown up to waist height, topped by a thin black line and cream above.
This nostalgic decor complemented the building’s historical roots, once serving as a coaching inn with stables, evidenced by hay rack marks still visible on the wall at the back of the building along Tanner Row.
The chemist was renowned for Nurse Harvey’s Gripe Mixture, a children’s medicine developed by Harvey Scruton, which remains on the market today.
However, in 2013, the original sign was painted over with a modern design featuring a grey background and ‘The Lawrence’ in a thin white font, marking the building’s transition to an upmarket holiday apartment rental, which it remains as today.
The transformation of this space reflects its evolution from a historical inn to a contemporary lodging solution, maintaining its connection to the past while serving today’s visitors.
Got thoughts or a story to share about this iconic sign? We’re all ears—drop your comments below and join the conversation!