5 High Street

This property was researched by John Thurston

Frontal view of buildings on east side of High Street, including Wimpy Bar (no.5), 1974 [ref: PL/PH/7/52]

The earliest reference known of an occupier at 5 High Street was William White, a stationer and bookseller, who is shown on trade directories from 1830. He may well have been onsite as earlier as he is mentioned as a “Stationer of Bedford” on a Conveyance of 1808 (ref: GK130/1). 

On Dec. 22, 1831, William’s son, William Hale White, was born at No. 5. He would later find fame as an English Novelist writing under the pseudonym Mark Rutherford, his works including “The Autobiography of Mark Rutherford” (1881), “Mark Rutherford’s Deliverance” (1885), “The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane (1887)”, “Miriam’s Schooling and Other Papers” (1890), “Catherine Furze” (1893), and “Clara Hopgood” (1896).William White stayed until at least 1839. The next incumbent was a Grocer, Elizabeth Green, who is shown with her family on the 1841 Census (Possibly her husband Thomas had taken over in 1839). The family remain until 1850. 

In 1851 the shop again becomes a Booksellers and Stationers under John Greaves Nall until at least 1864. By 1869 James Rogers Porter, also a Bookseller and Stationer has taken over and stays until 1871.A change of use occurs in 1871 when Henry Christopher Cooper, a Music  Dealer takes over for the next 6 years. By the 1881 Census the site again becomes a Bookshop with Herbert H.Dyble being the Manager.The shop is then taken over in 1885 by Freeman, Hardy and Willis, Boot and Shoe Dealers. 

For the next 76 years, from 1887 through to 1963, James Beagley and his family, Tailors, Hatters and Clothiers run the site.Between 1910 – 1915 an Accountant, Charles Church Beck, also shared the site perhaps sub-letting. During 1959 and 1960 No’s 3, 5 and 7 High Street were demolished and were replaced by Swan Court. The address of No 5 High Street was still retained however.

In 1965 the new shop became a Wimpy Bar Restaurant and remained so up until at least 1976. In 1976 River Café are shown on the site. In 2008 Nandos Restaurant are on the site and remain there at present.

Summary of Occupiers

c.1808 – 1839: William White, Stationer and Bookseller

1841 – 1850: Elizabeth Green, Grocer

1851 – 1864: John Greaves Nall, Booksellers and Stationers

1869 – c.1871: James Rogers Porter, Bookseller and Stationer

1871 – 1877: Henry Christopher Cooper, Music  Dealer

1881: Herbert H.Dyble, Manager of a Bookshop

1885: Freeman, Hardy and Willis, Boot and Shoe Dealers

1887 – 1963: James Beagley and family, Tailors, Hatters and Clothiers

1910 – 1915: ? Sublet : Charles Church Beck, Accountant

1965 – 1976: Wimpy Bar, Restaurant

2019 – Present: River Café 

See here for a more detailed list of owners and occupiers of 5 High Street