115 High Street

This property was researched by John Thurston 

Buildings are shown where 115 High Street would have been on John Speeds earliest map of Bedford dating from 1611. A number of conveyances and maps also name occupants believed to be occupying or owning messuages on the site from 1695 – 1766 although their occupations are not given. These include Catherine Cobb c.1695, “Bamfords” (either a name for the site or an occupant’s name) early 1700’s and Thomas Pearson/Pierson c.1751 – 1766.

The first known Victorian house was probably built c.1861 – 1869 with the 1871 Census showing Charles Lester, a Lace Manufacturer, living with his sister Elizabeth and nephew Frederick on site.

The family would trade under the name C and T Lester until around 1897/98 when the business was renamed to Lester and Driver who were present until 1904.

From 1900 onwards the building was subdivided into 115 and 115A with several council offices and businesses operating there (see below), the most important being the Midland Bank.

In 1964 the original Victorian building was demolished and the whole site incorporated into the new Midland Bank.

Latterly the site, now registered as No 115 – 117 High Street, has been taken over by Restaurants/Public Houses, firstly Wetherspoons (Weatherspoons – The Bankers Draft, Lloyds No1 Bar) from 2008 – 2015, then the “Brewhouse and Kitchen” from 2016 – 2023 and finally the High Street Social Tap (2024).

Summary of Occupiers

1611: Building/Messuage visible on John Speed’s Map of Bedford

1695 – 1766: Various Occupants and Owners inc. Catherine Cobb, “Bamfords” (either a name for the site or an occupant’s name) and Thomas Pearson/Pierson c.1751 – 1766.

1861 – 1869: Victorian building erected

1871 – 1897/8: Charles and Thomas Lester, Lace Manufacturers

1897/8 – 1904: Lester and Driver, Lace Dealers

1900 – 1976: 115A London City and Midland Bank/Midland Bank

1908 – 1915: William Payne, Clerk to Board of Guardians & Rural District Registrar of Births & Deaths

1914 – 1922: Frederick R Chapman, Surveyor Rural District Council

1920 – 1922: Walter George Daniels, Clerk to Board of Guardians and Rural District Council

1964: Victorian Building demolished, site incorporated /absorbed into the new Midland Bank.

2008 – 2015: Wetherspoons, Bar and Restaurant

2016 – 2023: Brewhouse and Kitchen, Bar, Restaurant and Micro Brewery

2024: High Street Social Tap, Bar and Restaurant

List of sources at Bedfordshire Archives:

• BorBK3/253: Copy negatives of portrait of Thomas Lester and painting of Thomas Lester's Lace shop
• PUBZ3/4/19: Folio.39-40 Thomas Lester residing in St Paul, Bedford, lace dealer., 1818
• CRT180/567: Notes on Thomas Lester (c.1835-1909), lace dealer of Bedford, 1992