95-97 High Street
95 and 97 High Street were built in the 18th century. By 1876 they had become a shop kept by Joshua Harris, who sold millinery, grocery, ironmongery and medicines. You could even have a tooth pulled out for a shilling! Gilbert Harris continued to run Harris' Stores until 1952, when it was sold to Ernest William Eldred, also a grocer and draper.The business appears to have been sold to Allied Land and Blanchley Properties in 1966. It was then leased to J. C. Kelly, who traded as James’s Supermarket. Nos. 95 and 97 were then separated No. 95 remaining a store. The land began to be divided up and parts sold off. John Battershall bought both 95 and 97 High Street in 1971. 95 was then sold on to become a taxi business, later Alfred Truman's. In 1991 the O'Sullivan family bought 97, little knowing how much of the past would be unearthed. Liz O'Sullivan sold the house to Tess Harris. 97 has a full-height cellar in the back part below the kitchen.
Listing details state for No. 97 'Shop and dwelling, now house. C17 and C18. Coursed squared limestone rubble; old plain-tile roof with brick stacks. Double-depth through-passage plan. 2 storeys plus attics. C18 front has central 6-panel door under stone flat arch between 2 large C19 shop windows with panelled architraves, that to right a tripartite sash; two 16-pane sashes at first floor with keyblocks, probably early C19.
Straight joints remain from an earlier arrangement. Hipped roof with stack to left and large stack to right at rear with 2 diagonal shafts. Gabled rear ranges continue to right as long row of outbuildings or possibly former cottages. Interior: Open fireplace; C18 stair with turned balusters and panelled sides; winder stair to attics; clasped purlin roof in rear wing.
Sale particulars from 2015 when No. 95 was three flats. 97 remains a family home.
- Barclays Bank High Street
- 95-107 High Street
- 95-97 High Street
- 95 High Street
- 97-107 High Street
- 99-107 High Street, Forge House and view
- 100 High Street, Cromwell House
- 95-107 High Street
- 95-107 High Street
- 95-97 High Street, leather Shoes
- 95-97 High Street, Harris' Stores
- Locks of Hair
- 95-97 High Street and view 95-115 High Street
- Auction notification for Harris' Stores
- Photographs
- Photographs
- Harris collection from Harris' Stores
- Letter concerning Harris' Stores
- The Merry Bells and surroundings from the air
- Huxter, the carrier
- Report of planning refusal at 95 High Street
- High Street sketch