95 High Street

This property was researched by John Thurston 

Express Cleaners, 95 High Street, 20 August 1970 [ref: BorBPH3/143]

In the eighteenth century the land roughly corresponding to 95-107 High Street comprised of a dwelling house, containing a garret, three chambers, a parlour, a hall, a washhouse, a front shop, a yard and a garden, in the occupation of Charles Drew, mason according to a sales particular dated to 1799 in the Duke of Bedford's collection. [ref: R6/5/13/4].

Information on the history of the site from 1841 – 1851 must be considered speculative as both Directories and Censuses do not record street numbers. The Peers family (1841 – 1851), Lace dealers, are the best guess as to the occupants during this period. 

From 1853 onwards we know that Thomas Robert Brown, a butcher, was living at No 95 and that a new property was built on the site at some time in the 1860’s. Brown would stay until at least 1869. 

The 1871 Census shows Walter George Smith, a draper, as the new owner but the same year Frederick Se(a)mark and family, millinery and lace merchants (who are listed as living at 91 High Street on the Census) have taken over and are shown as living there until around 1911. 

In 1914 the premises are being run by Belcher and Bridgen (Miss Jessie Marria Belcher and Miss Emma Bridgen). Costumiers and Milliners. They stay until around 1930.From 1930 – 1933 John Richard Tawton, a boot and shoemaker, is in residence. 

In 1934 Ideal Cleaners and Dyers take over the premises and stay right up until 1970 when Express Cleaners take over. Directories show they stay until at least 1976. 

Note: From 1907 – 1911 and 1936 – 1975 the premises are shared with a variety of gentlemen who were presumably sub-let Residents.

91-95 High Street, Bedford, 2024

 In more recent times the premises  has been run as a betting shop by Totesport (2008) and Betfred (2023).

Summary of Occupiers 

1841: ?John Peers, Lace Dealer

1850: ?Thomas Robert Brown, Butcher

1851 – 1869:  Thomas Robert Brown, Butcher

1871: Walter George Smith, Draper

1871 – 1911: Frederick and Emma Se(a)mark, Commercial Traveller and Milliners

1914 – 1930: Belcher and Bridgen (Miss Jessie Marria Belcher and Miss Emma Bridgen)

1930 – 1932: John Richard Tawton, Boot and Shoemaker

1934 – 1971: Ideal Cleaners and Dyers

1907 - 1911 & 1936 – 1975: Premises shared with individuals who were presumably sub-let Residents

1970 – 1976: Express Dry Cleaners

2008: Totesport, Betting Shop

2023: Betfred, Betting Shop 

For a more detailed list of occupiers of 95 High Street, see here.