2 Mill Street

This property was researched by John Thurston.

The earliest definite record relates to Thomas Hague, a currier, who can be found on directories and censuses from 1853 – 1897. (N.B. a possible, totally speculative, antecedent could be William Fish Palmer, a currier in Mill Lane/Mill Street who was present from at least 1815 – 1841. I have therefore included data on him)

Hague’s family business continued under John Hague (1897) and James Agutter Hague (1902 – 1929). James also branched out into other fields being described at different times as a cycle agent and a cricket outfitter.

No 2A is also shown as a Midland Railway Parcels Office between 1887 – 1890 before next appearing in directories as Ye Olde Booke Shop, proprietor Alex M.Wilson, between 1910 - 1914. No 2A is then taken over by Russell Hill, a shipping agent, from 1914 – 1929.

In 1930 No 2 becomes vacant while Alec Hawkins, a ladies hairdresser is working from 2A. From 1931- 1940 the two premises are used respectively by Grimbly, Hughes and Co Ltd, grocers, and Hawkins. From 1947 – 1955 No 2 is vacant with Hawkins still at 2A.

In 1957 Grices Sweet Shop is recorded followed by A W H Timms, also a confectioner, from 1959 – 1961. Sports Fare, Camping Equipment Dealers, are at 2A in 1963 with no mention of No 2.

From 1967 – 1975 the two sites are occupied by respectively at No 2 Commercial Union Assurance Group, 1967 – 1968 (then Vacant), and at No’s 2/4 by Bachelor, Lowther and Jones, solicitors and Kilroy and Partners, estate agents in 1968, and by Cheffins, Grain and Chalk, estate agents, 1969 – 1975.

The 1976 Directories show No 2 again vacant with Hunter and Kingston, estate agents and M L Wood, solicitor at No’s 2/4.

In recent times from 2009 – 2018 buildings No’s 2/4 were recorded as William Albert House, an investment firm while from 2020 to the present they have become residential flats.

Summary of Occupiers

c.1815 – 1841: William Fish Palmer, currier (Speculative)

1853 – 1897: Thomas Hague (1897 Thomas Hague and Son, John), curriers

1887 – 1890: 2A Midland Railway Parcels Office

1898 – 1929: James Agutter Hague, cycle agent & cricket outfitter

1910 – 1914: 2A Ye Olde Booke Shop, Alex M Wilson Proprietor

1914 – 1929: 2A Russell Hill, Shipping Agent

1930 – 1955: 2A Alec Hawkins Ladies Hairdresser

1931 – 1940: 2 Grimbly, Hughes and Co Ltd, grocers

1947 – 1955: 2 Vacant

1957: Grices Sweet Shop

1959 – 1961: A W H Timms, confectioner

1963: 2A Sports Fare, Camping Equipment Dealers

1967 – 1968: Commercial Union Assurance Group

1967 – 1968: 2/4 Kilroy and Partners, Estate Agents

1968: 2/4 Bachelor, Lowther and Jones, Solicitors          

1969/70 – 1975: 2/4 Cheffins, Grain and Chalk, Estate Agents

2009 – 2018: 2/4 William Albert House, Investment Firm

2020 – 2024: Residential Flats