34 High Street

This property was researched by John Thurston.

The Shelton Family, butchers, would appear to be the first occupants, John Shelton being mentioned in 1810 and Thomas Shelton from 1823 – 1841. There is then little data on the premises up to 1854 apart from the fact that the 1st sheet of the Bedford Times was printed in Oct 1845 by Mrs Wyatt and Albert Allen. We can only presume that the newspaper continued to be printed here until the early 1850’s.

In 1858 we learn that William Roff, a confectioner and baker, has purchased the property from a Mr M Trapp, an upholsterer. William Roff, Senior, and William Roff, Junior, continue to run the bakery business until 1901.

Dudeney and Johnston, confectioners and restaurateurs, purchase both 34 and 36 High Street from the Roff family that year and continue on site up until 1976.

Latterly the site became Lloyds TSB/Ltd Bank up until the present day.  

Summary of Occupiers

1810: John Shelton, Butcher, present in High Street

1823 – 1841: Thomas Shelton, Butcher

1845: 1st Sheet of Bedford Times printed in Oct 1845 by Mrs Wyatt and Albert Allen

1845 – 1854: ? James Wyatt and Co, Newspaper Proprietors presumed on site

c.1854 – c.1858: ? Mr M Trapp, Upholsterer

1858 – 1901: William Roff, Senior, and William Roff, Junior, Confectioners and Restaurateurs

1901 – 1976: Dudeney and Johnston, Confectioners and Restaurateurs

2008 – 2024: Lloyds TSB/Bank