80 & 80A High Street
The earliest mention of No 80 occurs in the early 1800’s. It was used by a number of surgeons possibly as early as the 1810’s and with certainty from the late 1840’s by Robert Couchman and Isaac Hurst (Hurst and Couchman). From 1851 Robert Couchman was living in the property with his sister, J H Burman, with the business under the names of Hurst and Couchman..
The 1861 Census shows Robert C Hurst (? Isaac’s son) in residence with his wife and 4 children who probably stayed until 1867/8. (N. B. A single entry in 1864 shows Robert Heygate Brooks, Surgeon, also on site.)
In 1869 a complete change of use occurs when the shop becomes an Ironmongers under the Day family (William Day/William Day and Sons/Mary Vaughan Day) who stay until 1891.
In 1894 Frederick Thompson and Son, booksellers, take charge with the premises being shared with W Lyon and Son (No 80A), tailors. From 1901 – 1915 Thompson shares with Arthur Ernest Hawley and Co Ltd (Sketchley Dye Works).
From 1920 until 1931 the main occupants become Stafford, Rogers and A W Merry, auctioneers, valuers and estate agents who once more share with the Sketchley Dye Works at No 80 A. From the mid 1930’s up until 1967 Stafford Rogers and Merry (eventually Brown and Merry)/Sketchley Dye Works share the premises with a wide range of businesses which include Financiers, Insurance Agents, Building Societies, Tobacconists, Solicitors, Accountants, Animal food Manufacturers and a Gliding Club (see below).
From 1967 – 1971 the two main business on site are the Blackburn Assurance Co Ltd and Sketchley Dye Works Co and from 1971 – 1972 National Building Society/Sketchley Dye Works.
In 1972/3 Harrison and Simmonds, tobacconists, move their business from No 78/78A next door to take over the site, again sharing with the Sketchley Dye Works and also Williams and Co, Solicitors.
Summary of Occupiers
1810/11 – 1830: ? Charles Short, Surgeon on site
1839: ? Short and Hurst, Surgeons on site
1847: ? Hurst and Couchman, Surgeons on site
1850 – 1851: Robert Coachman (Couchman), Surgeon
1853: Isaac Hurst and Robert Couchman (Hurst and Couchman), Surgeons
1854: Isaac Hurst, Surgeon
1861 – 1867/8: Robert C Hurst, Surgeon
1864: Robert Heygate Brooks, Surgeon
1867: Robert C Hurst, Surgeon
1869 – 1891: William Day/William Day and Sons/Mary Vaughan Day, Ironmongers
1892 – 1893: Premises Vacant ?
1894 – 1915: Frederic(k) Thompson/ Frederick Thompson and Son, Booksellers
1894 – 1898: (80A) W Lyon and Son, Tailors
1901 – 1976: (80A) Arthur Ernest Hawley/Sketchley Dye Works Co, Dyers.
1920 – 1966: Stafford, Rogers and A W Merry/Brown and Merry, Auctioneers, Valuers, Estate Agents
1931: (80A) Bedford Gliding Club, Captain Hendy, Secretary
1932 – 1949/50: Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society Ltd
1936: W H French and Co, Accountants
1955: J Bibby and Sons Ltd, Animal Food Manufacturers
1963 – 1966: Capital Finance (Southern) Ltd, Hire Purchase Financiers
1965 – 1970/71: Blackburn Assurance Co Ltd, Insurance & Mortgage & Unit Trust Agents Assurance
1965: T R Edgeworth, Investment and Patent Consultant
1971/2 – 1972/3: National Building Society
1971/2 – 1976: Williams and Co, Solicitors
1972/3 – 2025: Harrison and Simmonds, Tobacconists