10 High Street

This property was researched by John Thurston

Town Bridge, Bedford with the spire of St Paul's church on the left and the Bank Buildings to the right. c. 1871 [ref: Z1306/9/5/8]

Bank Buildings (No’s 2 – 14 High Street) were built in 1855 after Joseph Barnard, A coal merchant then banker, had leased the land. The first known occupant of No 10 was John Mason Cuthbert, a chemist and druggist who was shown living there with his family from prior to 1861. The next trader was Charles Franklin, a coal merchant who occupied the site from 1871 until 1890. It was then stated as being “untenanted at night” but Franklin’s business continued to operate from the site until 1938, thus trading for a total of 67 years. In 1940 the Bank Buildings were demolished to enable Bedford Bridge to be widened. 

Summary of Occupiers

1855: Joseph Barnard , a Coal Merchant and Banker, leases the land and builds Bank Buildings (No 2 – 14)

1861 – 1862: John Mason Cuthbert, Chemist and Druggist

1871 – 1940: Charles Franklin, Coal Merchant

1940: Bank Buildings demolished to enable widening of Town Bridge 

See here for a more detailed list of owners and occupiers of 10 High Street

List of sources at Bedfordshire Archives: 

• Z1306/9/5/8: postcard of Bedford Bridge showing bank buildings, c.1871
• Z1306/9/5/27: postcard showing south end of bank buildings, c.1931