62 High Street
This property was researched by John Thurston
Bedford, High Street, West Side. View of no 62, Lennard's Limited boot and shoe dealers, c.1924-1928 [ref: BTNegOB8/3a]
While the current building dates from the early 1960’s, the site of No 62 High Street was occupied from as early as 1728.An assignment, reciting a mortgage from 1728 gives the owner as Thomas Richardson with Edward Veale, a Tailor, and William Odell, profession unknown, as the occupiers [ref: X221/2].By 1788 John Howard, a butcher, is the owner followed by his immediate family (wife and nephews). The occupiers are given as Thomas Eagles, a Turner, then Margaret Howard, a widow, and Thomas Mayes, a Woodman, with his wife Ann Paradine [ref: X221/3-4].
In 1818 a mortgage [ref: X221/6] shows the occupier as Charles Evans, a Currier (curer of Leather).From around 1830 onwards Benjamin Clifton, A Corn Factor/Dealer, takes charge and remains in occupation until 1864. Deeds from around this date shows the new owner as being John Barrand, a China and Glass Dealer with the new occupier being John Austin Williamson , a Corn Dealer.
From 1869 - 1876 the business becomes a China, Glass and Earthenware Dealers under William Weston Goodrich.William Hassall, also a China Dealer, is in occupation with his family from 1881 – 1904.
A change of business occurs C1907 when the building is subdivided between The Empress Stores and (62a) The Mignon Syndicate (Photographers). In 1908 the Photographers are now listed as Artatype Ltd.In 1910 the business again changes direction, this time becoming a Boot and Shoe Makers, Lennards Ltd, who retain sole control of the building up until 1976.
In latter times Nisa Metro, Supermarket, (2008), Costcutter, Supermarket (2016) and Kasztelan, Polish Food Shop, (2023) have been the occupants.
Summary of Occupiers and Owners
c.1728 – 1736: Edward Veale, Tailor, and William Odell (Owner Thomas Richardson)
1788: Thomas Eagles, a Turner, Margaret Howard, Widow, Thomas Mayes, a Woodman (Owner John Howard and family)
1818: Charles Evans, Currier
c.1830 – 1864: Benjamin Clifton, Corn Dealer
1864 - 1865: John Austin Williamson, Corn Dealer (Owner John Barrand. China Dealer)
1869 – 1876: William Weston Goodrich, China, Glass and Earthenware Dealer
1881 – 1904: William Hassall, China Dealer
1907: The Empress Stores and 62a The Mignon Syndicate, Manager TGW Drew, Photographers
1908: The Empress Stores and 62a Artatype Ltd, Photographers
1910 – 1976: Lennards Ltd, Boot and Shoe Makers
2008: Nisa Metro, Supermarket
2016: Costcutter, Supermarket
2023: Kasztelan, Polish Food Shop
See here for a more detailed list of owners and occupiers of 62 High Street.