2 High Street
This property was researched by John Thurston
Early occupants for No 2 are speculative, the first known occupant of the first building after Bedford Bridge, on the West Side, (thus equivalent to No 2 High Street) being Charles Bithrey, the Bedford Postmaster. He is shown living here from 1835 – 1850.
The 1851 Census next shows William Porter, a hatter and draper, occupying the first house. By 1855 all the buildings on the west side of the bridge have been demolished to make way for the expansion of Bedford Bridge. Joseph Barnard, a coal merchant and banker, acquires the remaining land and constructs No’s 2 – 14 Bank Buildings.
Joseph and his family along with other partners run the Bedford Bank from No.2 up until 1915 when they are incorporated with the London, County, Westminster and Parrs Bank Ltd.*
During the period 1915 -1922 the site remains as a Bank. From 1923 the site is subdivided between Insurance and various Inland Revenue and Government Offices up until 1938 (see details below). The Bank Buildings (2 – 14) are not listed in 1938 or 1939 and are demolished in January 1940 for the Town Bridge to be widened once again. Apart from a temporary ARP Wardens Post built in 1940 for the war, no buildings are present from that date and No’s 2 -20 then disappear from the High Street forever.
Summary of Occupiers
1793 - 1915: Joseph Barnard & Family (initially coal merchants, then Bankers are present in the High Street)
1835 – 1850: Charles Bithrey, Tea Dealer and Postmaster
1851: William Porter, Hatter and Draper
1854: Barnard, Talbot and Thomas, Bankers
1855: No’s 2 – 14 “Bank Buildings” erected by Joseph Barnard
1861: Barnard and Company, Bedford Old Bank
1862 - 1869: Barnard and Wing, Bankers
1871: Barnard, Barnard and Wing
1876: Bedford Bank
1885 - 1915: Thomas Barnard and Co, Bankers
1915 - 1922: London, County, Westminster & Parrs Bank Ltd (Barnards Branch) Ernest B Hallett Manager
1923 - 1936: Royal Insurance Co Ltd
1923 - 1926: Ministry of Health Insurance Dept.
1923, 1925 - 1936: National Insurance Audit Dept
1923 - 1936: Inland Revenue Valuation Dept.
1938 - 1939: Blank/Not Listed
1940: Bank Buildings (No’s 2 – 14) Demolished
1940: ARP Wardens Post
Post 1940 – 2024: No Buildings
*The History of the Barnard family as Bankers can be found here.