96 High Street
This property was researched by John Thurston
George Handscomb Miller, a mason and builder who was to become Mayor of Bedford in 1857, was living in the High Street with his family from at least 1830 and quite possibly built No.96 at some time between 1834 – mid 1850’s. Certainly he had moved with his family to the other side of the street during the latter part of this period and they are conclusively shown at No.96 in the 1861 Census. The family stayed until at least 1884.
In 1887 the building was occupied by John Atkinson Jackson, a milliner and costumier, who traded until 1890. The business was then taken over by William Allen, a tailor and hosier, who traded until 1902 and from 1903 -1915 with his brother as Allen Brothers.
George Humphries, outfitter, hosier and hatter took over around 1920 and stayed until 1930.
Garner Brothers, outfitters then traded from 1931 until at least 1940. A change of use occurred in 1947 when the Bedford Dye Works Ltd were on site continuing until 1963.
From 1965- 1966 Frank L A Morris and Sons, Estate Agents, Auctioneers, Valuers and Surveyors, were on site followed by Pendered, Son and Swindall, also Estate Agents, Surveyors and Valuers, in 1968.
Latterly No.96 has been occupied by The Bazaar, Secondhand Goods Dealers (1970 – 1976), Salon FX, Hair Salon (2008 – 2014) and Goodfellas, Hairdressers (2015 – 2024).
Summary of Occupiers
1830: George Handscomb Miller trading as a mason and builder in the High Street
Mid 1850s? – 1884: George Handscomb Miller, mason and builder (son Joseph Miller from 1880)
1887 – 1890: John Atkinson Jackson, Milliner and Costumier
1902 – 1915: William Allen/Allen Brothers, Tailors and Hatters
1920 – 1930: George Humphries, Outfitter, Hosier and Hatter
1931 – 1940: Garner Brothers, Outfitters
1947 – 1963: Bedford Dye Works Ltd, Dyers and Cleaners
1965 – 1966: Frank L A Morris & Sons, Estate Agents, Auctioneers, Valuers and Surveyors
1968: Pendered, Son and Swindall,Estate Agents, Surveyors and Valuers
1970 – 1976: The Bazaar, Secondhand Goods Dealers
2008 – 2014: Salon FX, Hair Salon
2015 – 2024: Goodfellas, Hairdressers