87 High Street

This property was researched by John Thurston 

Design for a shop front at no 87 for T K Green, Groceries, Wines and Provisions, c1900 [BorBP3785]

The site has had a variety of occupiers traceable back as far as the late 18th century. The site roughly covering the area of 87-93 High street had previously been the site of a mansion house which, according to a sales particular of 1799 comprised of two bedrooms, and two dark rooms in the attic, six chambers with a dressing room and closets on the first floor, a hall, dining room, parlour, breakfast room, music, room, kitchen, scullery, and coal cellar on the ground floor, with beer and wine cellars ni the basement. The property also had a forecourt with water pump, yard and drying ground, kitchen garden, a stable with two stalls and loft, a larg washhouse, shed, and woodhouse, paddock and ground formerly used as a coke yard, and a summerhouse. The mansion house had been in the occupation of a Mr Whitehouse and Mr Barnard [R6/5/13/4]

The present building appears to date from around 1902 according to a sale document found on Google.The earliest occupants were John and Thomas Green, braziers and whitesmiths, who were on site around 1824. 

From 1839 – 1862 the Clare family were present, John being a hairdresser and perfumer from 1839 – C1860, while his widow, Emma, ran a Toy and Fancy warehouse from 1861.In 1864 James Skerman has become the owner of the “Fancy Repository” and remains until around 1869/70.A change of use occurs around 1871 when Alfred B Clarabut uses the site as a Grocery. He stays until 1885. By 1887 Thomas Kenworthy Green is the new Grocer. The business operates under Thomas and later his son right up until the early 1940’s.

From 1920 until 1940’s the Greens share the site with a host of different organisations which include Accountants and Auditors, Milliners, Local Government organisations, Insurance Agents, Political Parties and Nursing Organisations.The 1947 Census shows that the Greens have now left and Local Government and Nursing Associations have control of the premises. 

In 1952 another major owner, Lotus and Delta, shoe and bootmakers take over, again sharing with others until 1965.They then become the sole occupants in 1966 right up until at least 1976. 

In recent times the site has been occupied by the Early Learning Centre (1991), The Kiln Pottery and Tearooms (2018 and the Bedford Cat Café (2021/21)      

 See here for a more detailed list of owners and occupiers of 87 High Street