83 High Street

The early history of No 83 revolves around the Trapp Family who were drapers in the late 18th Century. First known from circa 1791, John and Benjamin Trapp were trading from the High Street almost certainly from No 83 from 1810 onwards.

In 1829 John, along with Joseph Margetts Pierson, already a banker, set up the Pierson and Trapp Bank. By 1839 the name had changed to Trapp, Halfhead and Co and was also known as the Bedford and Bedfordshire Bank with the bankers being Benjamin and Thomas Simmons Trapp and Richard Halfhead.

In 1849 the London and County Bank acquired the business with Thomas Simmons Trapp remaining the manager, a position he would hold until at least 1876. By 1885 the premises had been taken over by Stafford and Rogers Ltd, auctioneers, who would remain on site until at least 1915.

The site would then revert to its original business of banking under the London County, Westminster & Parrs Bank Ltd who through various name changes and amalgamations eventually became the National Westminster Bank Ltd.

From 1921 onwards until the present day the site has included both No’s 81 and 83 High Street as the address of the Bank.     

The building is Victorian with many of its original features. It was built in 1881 and extended in 1921 with two gables added. The architect was A.E Anthony of Anthony & Usher.

Summary of Occupiers

1791: Benjamin Trap, a Baker, and Simeon Trap, a Laceman are noted in Bedford

1810 - 1823/4: John and Benjamin Trapp, Drapers

1829 - 1839: Pierson and Trapp, Bank (Joseph Margetts Pierson and John Trapp)

1839 - 1849: Trapp, Halfhead and Co, Bank (Benjamin & Thomas Simmons Trapp and Richard Halfhead, managers

1849 -1876: London and County Bank, Thomas Simmons Trapp, Manager

1885 - 1915: Stafford and Rogers Ltd, Auctioneers

1915 - 2025: London County, Westminster & Parrs Bank Ltd/Westminster Bank Ltd/ National Westminster Bank Ltd, Bank