Roger Clarke's History of VICTORIA ROAD
Nos. 5 – 7

Victoria Road, Nos. 7, 6 and 5 (from left to right)

No.5 was a general dealer's, according to the census for 1871 and again for '81, but by 1894 had become a fish and chip shop.

No.6 was a grocer's in 1881 and a greengrocery by 1894.

By the 1930s, Nos. 5 & 6 had jointly become Sealey's Refreshment Rooms, serving takeaway fish and chips as well as being a sit down cafe. This combination of cafe and takeaway continued until No.5 became a second hand furniture shop. It was taken over photographic agency 'Guzelian' in November, 1993.

Meanwhile, No.6 had become the fish and chip shop, as it remained until last year.

No.7 was always the Village greengrocery. It was described as a "fruit merchants" in 1871 and a "fruiterer" in 1881. Between 1930 and 1960 it traded as Berry's, as Harney's and as Muschamps, selling fruit and vegetables, before becoming Beetie's Tapas Bar in 1990.

CAN YOU HELP TO FILL IN THE GAPS?

If you recall more about these shops , with their names and approximate dates of changes – or any other relevant details and anecdotes - you can help the Sentinel to record recent history for future generations. We look forward to hearing from you.

An update on No.2
Before it became Firth's bakery, it was run by the Charlesworth family, who traded as a grocer's shop and a sweetshop at Nos 1 & 2. Anne and Roger Heald have owned the Tourist Information and Gift Centre at No.2 since October, 1993

Roger Clarke