Rushden Research Group: Bishop's

Bishop's - then Budgen's

The site was put up for Sale by Auction at 3.30 p.m. on Friday 28th July 1972

Denton's Factory c1905

1974 the 3 shops now Lawrence's Fashions

As Bishops in 1977

George Street corner was the frontage of Denton's boot factory, with three shops, one being his own grocery shop.

In 1974 the shop and factory was demolished and a new grocery store "Bishops" was built. This was then taken over in the 1980s by Budgens, and they were doing so well here that they decided to build a new larger store on the corner of College Street and Duck Street, and two more shoe factories were cleared.

As Bishops - c1980
The warehouse roof was the car park, and the warehouse had its entrance in Rectory Road and that part of the building was used for computer training. [2010]

The Rushden Echo, 29th June 1973, transcribed by Jim Hollis

New Supermarket May be Ready by Next Summer

A giant new supermarket could be opened in Rushden’s High Street by the summer of next year. The move into the town is being made by the firm of Bishops Foodstores, which has its headquarters at Ruislip. The supermarket will be built on the site of Lawrences shop, and the announcement ends months of speculation about the potential redevelopment of the premises.

This week, Mr. Michael Bradfield, managing director of Bishops, said the supermarket could well be the largest in the town. “We would hope that new buildings could be started within two or three months, and could be finished in the summer of next year.” Mr. Bradfield added that detailed planning permission has not yet been obtained, but broad agreement has been reached with the councils concerned.

In all, the building could cost about half-a-million pounds. This will be divided between Bishops and Mackenzie Hill, the Buckinghamshire property firm which originally bought the site.

The site comprises three properties, and is bounded by High Street, George Street, Rectory Road and Coffee Tavern Lane. It is being cleared at the moment, and will be leased by Mackenzie Hill to Bishops. In addition to the store, there will be a warehouse and car park.

Mr. Bradfield said the shop would have the usual range of foodstuffs, with wines and hardware as well. He described Bishops as “very much a family orientated business”, which has been in existence for over 110 years.


A Bishop's "Offers sheet" from October 1980

The Store was taken over by Budgen's in 1981.

When Budgen's vacated the High Street store it was taken on by the Co-op as a department store with the Co-op Bank at the back and sold shoes, homewares, and drapery. When the Co-op ceased in Rushden in 1994, the store was taken over as an Argos catalogue shop.

New store 1985

Budgens

The site at the junction of College Street and Duck Street was cleared with the demolition of Caves/Eatons shoe factory in 1984 and acquired for building of a new supermarket, Budgens.

Robert Marriott was the chosen builder.

Looking towards the Church over roof tops of Alfred Street School.

From Duck Street car park

We don't have a picture - but in 2007 Wilkinson took over the store

Post Office counter moved into Budgens 1996

In 1991 Budgens opened its doors for business on the new site in College Street.

The walkway at the right of the store called Eaton Walk led to the car park and more smaller shops with Beejam frozen foods.

Steps or a ramp enabled shoppers to take either bags or trolleys of food to their cars.

A Taxi rank was on the other side of College Street, in front of the store.

In about 1996, the Post Office counter service moved into the Budgen's supermarket store.

Budgens closed their store here in 2007, and then Wilkinson's took over the property.

Budgens were still trading elsewhere in the UK.

Then in 2024 a new Budgen's came to Rushden in Grangeway precint. It is a much smaller "local" store.

1990 College Street (left to top) into Duck Street - the large building left of centre opened 1991 as Budgen's. The car park was formerly part of John Cave's garden that was converted
to a sports ground for his employees. Mid left: The Ritz cinema and Alfred Street Schools.
The large factory right of centre would be demolished in 1998 when Totectors moved to Crown Park.
Duck Street with four car parks was part of the town ring road, and the A6 route before Bypass.

Wilkinsons

Local Businesses in 2009

Index of all Traders