Before 1890 a few small shops in houses in several streets were supplying the basic needs. With the rapid expansion of the shoetrade, Rushden could support more suppliers. Many new shops came to the locality, and those with crafts and skills soon began to supply local need. These adverts were found in some old newspaper pages kindly donated in 2024, many just the front pages, which is where many businesses advertised. Further research has expanded some pages already on our website, others moved into the now developing High Street, both north and south.

A booklet produced entitled Rushden and its Industry 1900 quotes "Messrs. Clark and Lennett, of Church-street, have carried on a successful trade for some years, but the junior partner retired from the firm, having satisfied his not too covetous desires, and left his partner to increase his worldly goods to the bent of his ambition."
It seems the company was now called Clarke & Co, and remained in Church Street.

South side of Church Street

	left: 11 High Street at the corner from Church Parade into Church Street where W Wilkerson - chemist traded. It continued as a chemist shop until 1964 when Peter Crisp took over the premises. Note the gateway beyond the widow (right) that led through to a yard giving access to the rear of several properties.
no reference found to No. 1 Church Street
Edwin Mole was at 3 Church Street 1898-1914
Charles Hawes was at No. 3 in 1914	Northern & Payne at No 5 in 1898

The 1904 Bennett's Directory shows that the "The Rushden Times" was at 5 Church Street. It was established in about 1893 by the "Wellingborough Post & Rushden Times" with W R Peaple as the manager, and printed here until J F Cook took over the business.

By 1901 J F Cook is at No.9, G M Strachan at 5, with Northern & Payne, and A Wills at 7. The upper floors were Clarke & Co in 1903 & JF Cook expanded into all 1906. Photo taken in 2014.
	Opened at 9 Church Street in 1897 - 1901?
	H Wheeler at No 11
	part of the first shop name uncovered in 2024
H Chettle at No 13 c1895	Matthew Bates was at No 17 until 1910
By 1906 Matthew Bates had nos. 17, 19 and 21 Church Street, trading as a furniture dealer. Son George began as a cycle and motor cycle dealer at 19 about 1904, and then John took on 21, and J Mayo & Co were at 15 & 17 in 1906.
J Cowley at No 17 c1910

At 23 Church Street Mrs Annie Piggott, draper, advertised in Kelly's directory in 1914 only. Arthur Loake remains there from 1917 until at least 1940.
Rushden Echo, 23rd November 1917 Arthur Loake (late Piggott) 23 Church-street, Rushden, is now showing a fine selection .............
Hustwait	Hustwait at No 25 c1900

29 W E Sargent was the last property in Church Street until the late 1890s For further development see Council Plans 2

1901 Edward Hollis lived at 27, Robert Banks 31, Samuel Parker 33, Mrs Frances Lovell at 35, James Clarke at 37, and John Woodward at 39.

The north side of Church Street

	Joseph Robinson's at the top of Church Street is numbered as 11 High Street. A beerhouse, later kept by his son Arthur. His grandson Charlie opened a newspaper shop in part in 1904. It was not demolished until 1920 and Charlie moved to the property nextdoor in High Street. Charlie jun. continued the business until 1970. A block of new shops replaced the old thatched building. 1-9 High Street is Church Parade.
10 Church Street - Oak Lodge was built c1885 Extract from a 1951 newsclip: “In another two years the house in Church Street, Oak Lodge – with its staircase and porch made from the oak from the *Windmill mentioned in Domesday Book – was in the market, and father bought that and across the drive erected a retail shop with a workshop behind. Note: *that once stood in Windmill Road.
	The shop and house that John Clipson built on the plot next to Oak Lodge in 1888. A workshop behind where John made and invented equipment needed in the growing shoe factories. He also installed the first telephone in Rushden, and the first motor car.
J S Clipson - 14 Church Street c1905
W H Darnell at 16, lived at 18 - looking down to No.30.
The house centre at 20 where Dr Baker lived. Above his home, the Congregational Church
22-30 Church Street c1912
	J Enos Smith organist at St Mary's Church lived at 22 Church Street and later it was his music shop.
	Iliffe's Pork Butcher was next at 22
Course & Hewitt were at 22 in 1901.	Ellen Tusting traded at 28 Church Street, by 1901 George Riseley, greegrocer was here
James Bright lived at 26 Church Street and kept the Mineral Water works in the old gas works.
Cross Cycle Co at No 30 in 1898	Oldhams in the old Gas Works next to 30

George Winters was in Alfred Street in 1890. By 1891 he is in Church Street. This was before numbering took place. Bankruptcy in 1898 saw Wm Hustwait tailor at No. 25 so probably George's shop.

If you have further information about these traders to share, please contact us. [see news page]