66 High Street

Earliest records found show that Mary Sawell owed the property in 1811 which she then sold to Charles Short, a surgeon, in 1811. Short carried out extensive renovations at No’s 64 and 66 converting the properties into one building and erecting a surgery in part of the yard. (A partnership with a Mr Hurst is recorded in 1839).

Occupiers during the period 1811 – 1845 were, in order, William Mallows, Elizabeth Waples, Mrs Chapman, Henry Pulley and finally William Cuttriss, a chemist, druggist and dentist.

Cutriss remains at the premises until the mid 1850’s. His son, Thomas, who also lived and worked alongside his father at the site, is renowned as Bedford’s first photographer.

From at least 1861 Alfred Bourchier Clarabut, a grocer, is the new occupant. In 1871 Arthur Jelley, also a grocer, takes charge remaining until at least 1877. The 1881 Census shows that Walter H Stubley, a cutter and assistant to a clothier, is living there with his family. He perhaps was working for, and renting the property from, Charles William Morris a hatter, hosier and clothier who is shown on all Trade Directories for the site from 1885 – 1902.

Briefly William J McCullagh, a Clothier and Outfitter, takes charge from 1903 – 1904 before Morris is again shown in 1907- 1908. From at least 1910 the new Clothiers on site are the Woolf Brothers who stay until 1930. From 1931 the Dolcis Shoe Co/Upsons Ltd, Boot and shoe factors are the shop owners. The extended site of three shops site (No’s 62, 64 and 66) are rebuilt around the early 1960’s and the new occupants of No 66 become Sheltone Fashions Ltd, Costumiers who stay until 1967. C.Y.S. (Menswear) Ltd, Outfitters, then take charge from 1969 up until at least 1976.

In recent times the site has house a Restaurant (Asia Lounge) (2009 – 2015), a Bar and Lounge (Faces) (2016 – 2020), an Arcade Amusement (?) Site (Play) (2021) and another Bar and Lounge (The Copa Rooms) (2023)

Summary of Occupiers

1811: Mary Sawell, Owner

1811 – 1839: Charles Short, Surgeon, Owner and early Occupant,

1839: Short and Hurst, Surgeons,

1811 – c.1840’s: William Mallows, Elizabeth Waples, Mrs Chapman and Henry Pulley, Occupants

1841 – 1854: William Cuttriss, Chemist, Druggist and Dentist

1861 – 1871: Alfred Bourchier Clarabut, Grocer and Provisions Dealer

1871 – 1877: Arhur Jelley, Grocer

1881: Walter H Stubley, Cutter and Assistant to Clothier (Possibly working for Charles Morris)

1885 – 1902: Charles William Morris, Hatter, Hosier and Clothier

1903 – 1904: William J McCullagh, Clothier and Hatter

1907 – 1908: Charles William Morris, Hatter, Hosier and Clothier

1910 – 1930: Woolf Brothers, Clothiers

1931 – 1961: Dolcis Shoe Co (Upsons Ltd), Boot and Shoe Factors

1963 – 1967: Sheltone Fashions Ltd, Costumiers

1969 – 1976: C.Y.S. (Menswear) Ltd, Outfitters

2009 – 2015: Asia Lounge, Restaurant

2016 – 2020: Faces, Bar and Lounge

2021: Play,? Amusement Arcade

2023: The Copa Rooms, Bar and Lounge