Rushden Research Group: changing faces High Street

Changing faces in High Street

1960s
106 York Bros - 104 J G Swart - 102 Top Fashion

102 High Street

Europa Stores took this shop when Top Fashion moved out in the 1970s.

The proprietors were an Italian family, perhaps from Bedford where many had worked at the Stewartby Brickworks in the 1950s. Brickmaking had been automated and was now being produced much more quickly at new works elsewhere.

Much of the fruit and vegetable stock was from Italy, and there was a good variety of apples, rather than just the cheaper bland tasting French apples - Golden Delicious - that were filling the shelves at some of the larger supermarkets.

When the older generation retired their son is thought to have started Its a Gift here before moving to Irthlingborough and Bedford.

When Superspot closed It's a Gift moved to 20 High Street and traded there until at least 2010

Europa Stores took this shop when Top Fashion

20 & 20a High Street

Formerly Knight's Furnishing. It was divided and 20a remained as the furnishing, and The House of Knight and Son, jewellers established at no 20.

The jewellers is now Cancer Relief charity shop.

At 20a the furnishing department closed and was taken by Roe Brothers drapery.

For a time Frank Brierley, and then his daughter took over as 'Superspot'. In the 1980s it sold a huge array of goods, and was always interesting to drop in and see what had come in that week! Upstairs was also as a sales area, with cards for all occasions.

When Superspot closed it traded as It's a Gift, until at least 2010, but then they moved to Bedford and Irthlingborough.

Lately it was Jewkes Bridal Gowns but they didn't stay long.

Under refurbishment in 2025 as a Laundrette and Coffee Shop.

Superspot in 2003

155 High Street
This old building, at the junction of High Street and Station Road was first built for Sanders and Sanders, shoemakers in 1873. They left in 1908 when they moved to a new factory in Spencer Road, and H Ingle leather merchant moved in. Next Cyril Freeman sold animal feed and seeds, and opposite were the railway stables which Cyril replaced c1950 with his new garage.

1976 when Stonehurst and a row of cottages was demolished. Rowthorns Furniture at the corner.

Next George Salt was here selling Motor Cycles in part, and Rowthorns furnishers took the rest of the building. When George left c1970 Rowthorns expanded.

c1964 This old building, at the junction of High Street and Station Road
was first built for shoemakers in 1873.

In 1976 the row of cottages and JJ Page's shop next door in High Street, were demolished in 1976, but this old building still survives.

Beyond was the former Lancaster Club in Station Road was taken on by The Band Club, after moving from Manton Road following an electrical fire in 2006. They intended the move to be temporary, but after being denied the chance to rebuild on the original site, they made it their permanent home.

In 2025 it is Co-op Funeral Care. The next part is now House of Venom. Beyond is the building taken over by the Band Club.

The first building where shoes were made, then animal feed was traded.
The Co-op Funeral Care and the Band Club, in 2004.

Index of All Traders