81 High Street

This property was researched by John Thurston.

William Hill, a Grocer and Tea Dealer, is the first known inhabitant being in business from at least 1830 – 1847.

He was succeeded by James Coombs, a Chemist and Druggist, who occupies the premises at some date between 1847 – 1850. Coombs would stay until at least 1854.

The next recorded occupant was John Ekins, a Chemist and Druggist, who was present until 1871.

Another business ran by Walter George Smith, a fancy Draper, is also recorded concurrently at No 81 between 1869 – 1871. By 1876 Miss Ellen Nora Chibnall is running a Toy Shop but has vacated the premises by 1881.

The next recorded business is the London and County Bank in 1885. The Bank then had a number of name changes over the next 40 years eventually emerging as the Westminster Bank Ltd. It has remained on the site ever since.

From at least 1922 the bank it extended the business to include No 83 High Street and then shared its Premises with a number of other businesses (see details below).

Summary of Occupiers:

1830 – c.1850: William Hill, Grocer and Tea Dealer

c.1847 – c.1871: John Ekins, Chemist and Druggist

c.1869 – c.1871: Walter George Smith, Fancy Draper

1876 – c.1880: Miss Ellen Nora Chibnall, Toy Shop

1885 – 2024: London and County Bank (Now Westminster Bank Ltd)

Shared premises:

1923 – 1930: Christian Science Reading Room

1923 – 1930: The Union Assessment Committee and Rural District Council

1923 - 1925: Ernest and Hallett (Trade Unknown)

1924, 1928 & 1931: Bedford Guardians Office and Rural District Council

1926, 1930: George Pemberton Allen (Trade Unknown)

1932 – 1955: Public Assistance, Bed. Assessment Committee

1934 – 1963: English Electric Company Ltd

1936 – 1939: Spain Brothers and Company Ltd, Chartered Accountants

1939: Scottish Amicable Building Society

1949 – 1950: W G Jackman (Trade Unknown)

1952 – 1963: F A Nunn (Trade Unknown)

1957 – 1968: Union Dominions Trust Ltd, Industrial Bankers

1965: Bedford Chamber of Trade Ltd