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Notes taken from Council Plans now deposited at NRO.
William Chettle
Grocer
Cromwell Road
Photo taken in 1988 when the shop was 'Bob's Off Licence'

At the corner of Pratt Road and Cromwell Road a house and shop was built for Mr. W. Chettle on plot 77 in 1890. A second plot adjoining was to be a yard and storage. Below the house there was a cellar and another beneath the shop.

The shop entrance was on the corner, with the house entrance in Pratt Road. The house had a parlour above the cellar, a living room beyond, and a kitchen was behind the shop, with a window fronting Cromwell Road. Stairs to the bedrooms were between the living room and kitchen, with a large walk-in pantry beyond.

William Chettle, grocer, and Sarah his wife lived and traded at the corner of Pratt Road and Oliver Cromwell Road. In 1891 their son Walter, aged 14, was already a photographer. Walter took a shop in Higham Road in 1909 and set up a photography studio. Next door his brother William traded as a hairdresser's and tobacconist's.


Rushden Echo, 1st January 1909
The Noted Shaving and Hairdressing Saloon and tobacconist’s shop – under entirely new management.
Choice selection of cigars,
cigarettes and tobaccos.
Wm Chettle, 24 Higham-road, Rushden.

Floods at the Hayway/Higham Hill junction - 4th May 1952
1952 flood shop
W H Chettle - Wholesale and Retail Tobacconist

If you have photographs showing these shops we'd be grateful to take a copy please.

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