Rushden Research Group: Alfred Street

Alfred Street

East side - from Church Street

The house and shop on the corner of Alfred Street and Church Street in 1905
of Mr J S Clipson.

He installed the first telephone here,
and was given No 1. At the rear several workshops where John would invent, and create various items, many for use in the shoetrade.

Photograph courtesy Mr Copperwheat

A walk-way through to High Street is next on the east side,
known as Coffee Tavern Place.


The rear of the premises in poor state and the house boarded up in 2008.....	..... and in 2018 still empty, with holes in the roof.


Rear of No 2 - viewed from walk-way through to High Street are the workshops now derelict (2018)	A view of the workshops where John invented equipment for use in the shoe trade.
The privvies close to the walk-way In 2008 a fire occurred in the walk-way But in 2020 the workshop is undergoimg renovation.....

A second walk-way through the NatWest car park beyond the next pair of houses.


Car park area for the NatWest Bank between no 6 and Ventnor House	Nos. 4 & 6 - Two villa houses built about 1890 No 4 was the home of A T Nichols Mind Charity was in No 6 and Waterwise at No 4 in 2000

Ventnor House No 10 Alfred Street Sometime the home of Mr Frank Tassell


Now part of Rushden Graphics, with No. 12 (right), this long brick building was formerly a garage for Neville's coach.	At No 12 - former site of a coach house and stable for John Cave. Amos Cave started a waterproof leather company here.


Constructing the Palace stage area in 1910	Frank Wills' beer house


In the distance is the Post Office of 1940 in College Street. At the corner the side of Ritz Cinema - now Flutters Bingo. The white building - formerly the Palace Cinema stage area and later Palace Motors garage, is now flats.	Land between the Ritz and the old Palace is cleared but shows large brick walls bounding the plots of some High Street buildings. (2018) Where Cave's factory stood before the 1901 fire.

West side - from Church Street

The Olive Branch cafe is run by the Salvation Army,
and stands on the former site of W H Darnell

An aerial photograph of Alfred Street terraced houses from the rear, and Palace Motors in John Street.

Frank Wills' beerhouse - later Rushden School of Motoring. Rushden Graphics recently left this property
and moved (2018) to the other side of road.
At the far right is a walk-way to John Street.

A 1920s photo from no 17 Alfred Street to Alfred Street School.

Clearly before the Ritz was built. At 25 Frank Wills' beerhouse - later
Rushden School of Motoring.
In the distance trees where the 1940 Post Office was built and before the Ritz cinema in 1936. The white building is (rear) part of the old Palace Cinema.

Alfred Street School was damaged by a bomb in 1940
A Blue Plaque was affixed on the 70th Anniversary

1926 map

1910 Valuations Index

Street Surveys & Notes