32 Silver Street

This property was researched by John Thurston 

John Millard, a grocer, was the first known occupant who may have been present from 1844. He stayed until around 1871. A Mrs Florentia Ketterer, a jeweller, was the next trader in 1875/6 but no further details are known. By 1885 Alfred Mann, confectioner, has opened a sweet shop on the site and would stay until 1898.

Ezra Braggins &Sons Ltd, Outfitters, would then take over but probably sub-let No 32 to Cash and Co, Shoe Factors (1900 – 1908) and the Maypole Dairy Company (1910 – 1915).

From that date, or a year earlier in 1914, the business would be registered under Ezra Braggins and Sons Ltd or their subsidiary name, “Our Boys” up until 1982.

The site and associated buildings/addresses adjacent were then acquired by Beales Department Store. Beales closed in 2020 and the extended site has remained empty since     

Summary of Occupiers:

c.1844 – 1871: John Millward, Grocer

1875 – 1876: Mrs Florentia Ketterer, a Jeweller

1885 – 1898: Alfred Mann, Confectioner

1898 – 1982: E Braggins and Sons Ltd/ “Our Boys”, Outfitters and Drapers

1982 – 2020: Beales Department Stores

2020 – 2026: Site Empty