19 High Street

The early history of No 19 concerns the Palgrave family, chemists and druggists, with Richard Palgrave appearing to be on site from at least 1810. John and Charles Palgrave continue the family business from at least 1823 until 1839.

In 1841 Henry Stewardson, an assistant chemist to Charles Frederick Palgrave, is shown as living on the premises. From 1847 – 1854 Charles Frederick Palgrave, a Mayor of Bedford, is shown as the sole owner. During this time he would rebuild both 19 and 21 High Street (1849 – 1851) possibly to designs by his nephew, Robert Palgrave.

In 1854 the business was sold to John Usher Taylor, also a chemist. By 1861 Taylor was in partnership with Henry Stewardson, the business being described as Stewardson and Taylor. From at least 1869  until 1897 the chemists were being run by Taylor and Cuthbert (Late Palgrave) with John Mason Cuthbert shown living in the premises in 1881.

The site appears to have been vacated at some time between 1898 – 1900, the new occupant in 1901 being George Frederick Smith, the manager of a Boot Shop (Upson and Co). Smith stays until 1911.

The premises are also sublet during this period to Theed Pearce, Solicitors (1901 – 1904) and Pearse and Parsons, Solicitors (1906).

In 1914 the building is taken over by a Bank, The Capital and Counties Bank Ltd, which by 1920 had become Lloyds Bank Ltd. From 1924 – 1961 the Bank has sublet to Sun Life Assurance Society (1924 – 1959) and other businesses and also appears to have had a tenant at No 19A (see below for full details).

Also from 1952 - 1976, No’s 19, 19A and 21 are classified as one combined address.

In recent times No 19 has been a Night Club, Venom (2008), a Clearance Store, Brand Centre (2012) and takeaway restaurants, Roosters Piri Piri (2014), Spice Shop (2015 – 2019) and Blue Moon (2020 – 2024). 

Summary of Occupiers

1810: Richard Palgrave, Chemist and Druggist, mentioned in Bedford

1823 – 1839: John and Charles Palgrave, Chemists

1841: Henry Stewardson, Chemist (an assistant to Charles Frederick Palgrave)

1847 – 1854: Charles Frederick Palgrave, Chemist and a Mayor of Bedford

1849 – 1851: Charles Frederick Palgrave has No 19 – 21 High Street rebuilt

1854 – 1861: John Usher Taylor, Chemist

1861 – 1864: Stewardson and Taylor (“Late Palgrave”), Chemists

1869 – 1897: Taylor and Cuthbert, Chemists

1898 – 1900: ? Site Vacant

1901 – 1911: George F Smith (Upson and Co), Manager of a Boot Shop

1901 – 1904: Theed Pears(c)e   , Solicitors

1906: Pearse and Parsons, Solicitors

1914: Upson and Co, Isaac Jackson Manager of a Boot and Shoe Stores

1914 – 1915: The Capital and Counties Bank Ltd

1920 – 1976: Lloyds Bank Ltd

1924 – 1959: Sun Life Assurance Society

1925 – 1926: 19A Arthur James Ray, Captain, ? Tenant

1929: 19A Mrs Lilian Mabel Ray, ? Tenant

1930: 19A Brian Mclaren Middleton, ? Tenant

1934 – 1938: 19A Mrs Edith Vera L O'Mulligan, ? Tenant

1947: 19A Kenneth Hartok, ? Tenant

1949 – 1955: 19A John Woodforde, ? Tenant

1952: 19 and 21 S J Smith and Partners, Quantity Surveyors

1957: 19 and 21 Lloyds Bank Chambers, Pyropress Engineering Ltd  

1957 – 1959: 19A Robert G Pattinson, ? Tenant

1961: 19A Richard Brasher, ? Tenant

2008: Venom, Night Club

2012: Brand Centre, Clearance Warehouse

2014: Roosters Piri Piri, Takeaway Restaurant

2015 – 2019: Spice Shop, Takeaway Restaurant

2020 – 2024: Blue Moon, Takeaway Restaurant