When the properties were numbered they began at Queen Street end, with even numbers on the west side, and odd numbers on the east side.
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1926 map showing the length of Cromwell Road between Queen Street (left) and Newton Road (right).
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At the junction, William Green built a new factory in 1895 for his growing shoe manufacturing buisness.
Next to this was H W Chapman's box factory, built in 1897.
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Grenson's in 2006. Converted into flats in 2016.
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The former H W Chapman box factory was built in 1897.
It was refurbished into living accommodation in 2017. |
At 57 Walter Kingham traded as a grocer in 1910, and Mrs Clayson was a draper at 67 in 1940. [no pictures]
A plan was passed in 1889 for G A Smith to build 2 houses and a shop at the corner of Blinco & Cromwell roads. Kept by Mr Beeby in the 1960s, but we have no pictures. Mr Beeby also did a 'round' delivering orders to his customers. [Can you tell us more? Do you have a photo please?]
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Terraces in Cromwell Road in 1988 to Blinco Road
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At the far end of the west side of the road the last house built was no 157. The lane next to this house led into allotments, which were gradually being sold off for people to build houses. This was demolished when the lane to the allotments, sports fields and High Hayden Farm, was widened before the road was laid. The road was named as Hayden Road and numbered in 1959 and the lane was widened and tarred, and RUDC had already built 5 houses.
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155 Cromwell Road in 2025
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157 was the home of the Willis Family during WWI, when their two younger sons had enlisted, and sadly paid the untimate price. Thomas died in 1917 and Frederick died in 1918. |
On the west side The King Edward VII stands on the corner of Cromwell Road. Originally an off-licence run by Mr. Albert Thomas Mason, in 1904 he applied for a full licence. This was opposed by the Temperance Society and the neighbours, and his application was refused. However, the licence was later granted to serve that area of the town.
Between The King Edw VII and Portland Road were a few cottages, perhaps a short row into a yard?
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16 - 14 - The King Edward VII in 2025
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At no. 20 was William Cave, a fishmonger, and at 30/32 was a bakehouse and cottage occupied ay George Henry Lord. His wife Ellen, and later his son Edward both assisted in the business. Probably in the row below that were demolished in 1965?
| Notes taken from plans passed by the Council now deposited at NRO. |
| A proposed bakehouse for Mr John Barringer was designed by George Hall, surveyor, of Higham Ferrers, to be built in Oliver Cromwell Road in September 1897.
Also at this time Frank Henson applied to build 9 houses and a shop at the corner of Cromwell Road and Robinson Road.
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These cottages were built by the Rock Land Society in 1887 between Portland Road and Robinson Road.
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Courtesy of the late Colin Bryant's Collection
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At 44 was a fish shop kept by Harry Burfield, and later by Ron Quennell. The row was cleared in 1965 and Cromwell Court now stands here.
| Cromwell Court - replaced the houses demolished in 1965 |
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At 118 A E Chettle kept this shop. The shop was taken over by Rufus Jephcote, ladies' hairdresser, in about 1935.
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118 Cromwell Road - probably Albert & Mary Ann in the doorway
Grocer & Provision Merchant, Grindery Dealer
Ham & Bacon of the Best Brands, Dealer in Tobacco |
118 at the junction of Robinson Road in 2025
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| Notes taken from plans passed by the Council now deposited at NRO. |
| At the corner of Cromwell Road and Pratt Road a house and shop was built in 1890 for Mr. W. Chettle. The plot adjoining was to be a yard and storage. [plots 77 & 78] |
| A proposed bakehouse for Mr John Barringer was designed by George Hall, surveyor, of Higham Ferrers, to be built in Oliver Cromwell Road in September 1897.
Also at this time Frank Henson applied to build 9 houses and a shop at the corner of Cromwell Road and Robinson Road.
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Built in 1890 for William Chettle and his wife Sarah.
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Pratt Road/Cromwell Road - early 1900s - Mrs Sarah Chettle
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Built in 1890 for Edward Warren, this butchers shop at 132 at the corner of Pratt Road, with the living accommodation and meat preparation building in Pratt Road.
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1988 Annis' shop behind the telegraph pole and on
the opposite corner, built 1890 for William Chettle.
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A view from Cromwell Road of the former shop and house
down to the old meat processing building in Pratt Road in 2025.
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The meat processing building, yard, house and shop in Pratt Road.
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Annis' shop stands behind the telegraph pole and Bob's Off Licence
Pratt Road/Cromwell Road - 1988
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At the corner near the back wall of the school in Newton Road, at 160 was a general shop kept by Charles Frederick Wood. He traded here from 1906 until 1936.
This shop became a confectioner and tobacconist shop in the 1940s kept by Miss Madge Summerfield. She was born at Ampthill in 1925, daughter of Ralph. [no pictures - please do you have one to share with us?]
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160 Cromwell Road facing the school boundary wall
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| Cromwell Road end at Newton Road |
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Arthur Sanders lived here and his builders' yard stretched out beyond. Demolished c1990s in preparation for Oliver Close.
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In Pratt Road Ollie Lenton had a bakery at 34/36 Pratt Road. Where the road joined Cromwell Road the two shops at the junction had a yard and some other buildings. The butchers had their processing building in the yard, whilst the grocery had a store and bottling facility for ale, with an off-sales licence.
