94 High Street
This property was researched by John Thurston
Photograph of lower storey of Multi-Broadcast television rentals shop, 94, High Street, Bedford. Undated c1960-1965 [Z1451/3/1].
Initial investigations suggest that the building currently occupying No 94 High Street was constructed soon after 1832. We can, however, go back further in time by referring to documents from 1624 up to 1832 concerning No. 92, The Bear Inn, which mentions adjoining buildings to the north, which would have included No 94.
Early occupiers would have included Fraternity St John the Baptist (owner) and John Newton (tenant), a tailor from circa 1627 – 1642, St Johns Hospital (owner ) from 1675 – 1748 and tenants William Burrows , 1675, William Haynes,1748, Thomas Warr, circa 1787 - 1790, Samuel Sutton pre 1790 and Mr Pinchard/Pinkard, 1803. Around 1803 the Bear Inn was burnt down and possibly No 94, which was described at the time as a messuage.
The next mention of what would be a newly built property occurs in 1847 when Christopher Norman, a Grocer and Tea dealer is shown as tenant along with his family, They stay until the mid to late 1850’s. In 1861 Joseph C Brown, a Linen and Woollen draper is in occupation followed by Alfred Howard in 1869 and then John Howard in 1871, both Boot and Shoe Manufacturers. Howard stays until 1885 when the property is briefly tenanted by H.G.Hagger, B.A., a mathematical Master at a Grammar School. In 1887 the property reverts back to being a Boot and Shoe Shop under Joshua Chettle who remains until 1894. In 1897 the International Tea Company Stores take over and stay until 1915.
From 1920 to 1921 the National Provincial & Union Bank of England Ltd are the tenants, before the property reverts back again to being a Boot and Shoe Shop from 1922 – 1934 under Ernest Anderson. (Note :Sub tenanted to Herbert Samuel Luff in 1923, 1925 and 1926).
From 1936 - 1959 Humphriss and Edwards, described as Jeweller Opticians, are the tenants, sharing with Gordon Cox (1955 – 57) and George Church (1959). In 1961 a change of trade occurs when Multi Broadcast Engineering/Rentals Ltd , a television rental company take charge. They remain until at least 1976.
In recent times the premises have become a fast food outlet run by Subway Takeaway (2008) and Doorstop Dolci (2023).
Summary of Occupiers
1627 - 1642: Fraternity St. John the Baptist (owner), John Newton, tailor, (tenant)
1675: St John’s Hospital (owner), William Burrows
1748: St John’s Hospital (owner), William Haynes
1787-1790: (Formerly) Samuel Sutton, (Now) Thomas Warr
1803: (Formerly) Thomas Warr, (Now) Mr Pinchard/Pinkard
1847 – 1854: Christopher Norman, Grocer and Tea Dealer
1861 – 1862: Joseph C Brown, Draper
1869: Alfred Howard, Boot and Shoe Maker
1871 – 1884: John Howard, Boot and Shoe Maker (Eliza Jane Miller, owner, in 1884)
1885: H.G.Hagger, B.A., Mathematical Master at a Grammar School
1887 – 1894: Joshua Chettle, Boot and Shoe Maker
1897 - 1915: International Tea Company Stores
1920 – 1921: National Provincial & Union Bank of England Ltd
1922 – 1934: Ernest Anderson, Boot and Shoe Maker
1923,25, 26: Herbert Samuel Luff
1936 – 1959: Humphriss and Edwards, Jewellers Opticians
1942: Eliza Jane Miller, owner, vests property to Alexander Henry Leigh/Leith, Baron Burgh
1955 – 1957: Gordon Cox
1959: George Church
1961 – 1976: Multi Broadcast Rentals Ltd, TV Rental Company
2008: Subway Takeaway
2021: Empty Shop
2023: Doorstop Dolci, Takeaway
See here for a more detailed list of owners and occupiers of 94 High Street