Rushden Research Group: Old shops in Church Street

Old shops of Church Street

Some of the photographs of Church Street shops that we have copied.
We have little information but what is found in the Trade Directories.

Wheatcroft's other shop in Church Street.

3 Church Street in 1941

First opened as the shop for baker Edwin Mole.

Taken over by Charles Hawes in 1914 until 1940.

Theodore Wheatcoft started his electrical business here, and then moved opposite to a larger shop at 4 Church Street.

Northampton Mercury, 12 Jan 1900

Bankruptcy Court: Re George Clayton, 42 Glasbrook-road, and 5 Church-street, Rushden, stationer and newsagent. Examination closed without further questions being asked.

Rushden Times (branch) was at no. 5 and Northern & Payne, coal merchants were also at no. 5 in 1903. [did George Clayton take the orders for them, and they collected the coal from the station for direct delivery?]

J F Cook was at no. 5 by 1906, before expanding into the whole property, after Clarke & Co.

5-9 Church Street - 2014

Henry Wheeler & Son, plumbers,
were at 11 Church Street in 1903.

13, 15 and 17 Church Street in 2023

The old BATES name board recently uncovered during refurbishment of these buildings and conversion back to residential properties.

Two cycle agents at 13 & 19 in 1910

Jabez Cowley - 17 Church Street in 1910
The advertisering plate above the shop doorway is for artifical teeth by a Wellingborough company. Also a fire hydrant notice "FH-9ft".

Jabez Cowley was a founder member of the Mission Band in 1898

at 13 in 1903 - 29 Church Street - Henry Chettle, greengrocer


J S Clipson - 14 Church Street c1905	W H Darnell - 16 Church Street

1910 adverts in Phillipson's Directory

William Hustwait - 25 Church Street

22-30 Church Street c1912

In 1912, No. 22 Church Street was music shop and home of J E Smith, organist/choirmaster at St Mary's Church from 1875-1930. Later it was Iliffe's Pork Butchers.

At No. 26 Mrs Whitby ran a knitting business and next door Mrs Tusting was a "costumier".

No. 30 was Arthur Okins' cycle works, by 1920 the first factory of John White shoemaker.

At 32 was the Lightstrung cycle works. Two cycle agents were at 13 and 19 in 1910.

32 and the old Gas House

1910 Phillipson's Directory

At 23 Church Street in 1901 was George Noble, ironmonger.

Rushden Echo, 23rd November 1917

Arthur Loake (late Piggott) 23 Church-street, Rushden, is now showing a fine selection .............

Mrs Annie Piggott, draper, advertised in Kelly's directory in 1914 only.
Arthur Loake married Charlotte Ellen Piggott in 1910.
The business traded under his name from 1917 until at least 1940.