63 High Street
63 High Street, Bedford, Feb 2025
Owned prior to 1810 by Samuel Gifford (trade unknown) it was taken over by John Rawlins, a wine and liquor merchant who stayed until c.1830.
From 1839 Edward Rawlins was the occupant along with his wife and two servants. By 1850 the family business was being run by both Edward and Henry Rawlins. The Rawlins family continued to control the business during the 1860’s with James Corcoran being the manager.
In 1869 Corcoran became a partner with the business being renamed as James Corcoran and E and H Rawlins and then Corcoran and Rawlins. From 1881 through to 1894 Edward De Verdon Corcoran was the sole mine merchant and owner, with the premises being shared with A M Dennis, a tailor (1892 – 1893), and the Laxton Brothers, (William and Edward), nurserymen (1890 – 1894).
In 1895 Phipps and Co, wine merchants and brewers became the main proprietors alongside Laxtons and stayed until 1915. Swaffield and Son, auctioneers (1897), R P Sharpe, architect and surveyor, (1901 – 1902) were the other sub lets during this period.
Henry Brill, a gents outfitters, and the Laxton Bothers were present from 1920 – 1922. From 1922 – 1940 the Laxton’s shared the premises alongside Mrs L Monger, a baby linen retailer. From 1947 - 1955 W J Sutton replaced Monger in the baby linen shop.
In 1957 Laxtons made their last appearance trading alongside James Walker, gold, silversmiths and jewellers. In 1959 Currys Ltd, cycle dealers and later domestic appliance dealers took control of the whole premises and stayed until at least 1976.
In latter years Yates Wine Lodge, Wine Bar (1998) Bedford Lounge, Pub/Wine Bar(2008 – 2009) and Tesco Express, Food Retail (2012 – 2025) have been the occupants.
Summary of Occupiers:
Prior to 1810: Premises owned by Samuel Gifford, trade unknown
1810/11 – 1830: John Rawlins, Wine and Liquor Merchant
1839 – 1847: Edward Rawlins, Wine Merchant
1850 – 1867: Edward and Henry Rawlins, Wine Merchants
1869: James Corcoran and E and H Rawlins, Wine Merchants
1871: Corcoran and Rawlins, Wine Merchants
1881 – 1894: Edward De Verdon Corcoran, Wine Merchant
1890 – 1957: 63A Laxton Bros, William & Edward, Nurserymen, Seedsmen & Florists
1892 – 1893: A M Dennis, Tailor
1895 – 1915: Phipps and Company, Wine Merchants and Brewers
1897: Swaffield and Son, Auctioneers
1901 – 1902: R P Sharpe, Architect and Surveyor
1920 – 1922: Henry Brill, Gents Outfitters
1922 – 1940: Mrs L Monger, Baby Linen Warehouse
1947 – 1955: W J Sutton/The Baby Shop (W J Sutton, Proprietor), Baby Linen Warehouse
1957: James Walker, Goldsmith, Silversmith and Jewellers
1959 – 1976: Currys Ltd, TV, Radio, Electricals and Cycle Agents
1998: Yates Wine Lodge
2008 – 2009: Bedford Lounge, Pub/Wine Bar
2012 – 2025: Tesco Bedford Express, Food Retail