9: Whistles
No. 9 was rebuilt in the Georgian style in 1934 by G. T. Gardner.
In 1772 a survey of every house in the city was taken in consequence of the Mileways Act of 1771. According to Salter, No. 9 was then in the occupation of a Mr Millachip, and its frontage measured 7 yards 0 feet 4 inches.
At the time of the 1851 census, No. 9 was a draper’s shop. Edward Beaumont, the proprietor (described as the employer of 32 men) lived over the shop with his wife and baby son, and with them lodged no fewer than six draper’s assistants, four draper’s apprentices, two draper’s milliners, a housekeeper, and two general servants.
By the time of the 1881 census, the baby son, Edward Beaumont junior, was the proprietor here. Unlike his father, he lived elsewhere, and over the shop lodged 18 of his employees: two male draper’s clerks, twelve male draper’s assistants, two female draper’s assistants, a housekeeper, and a general servant.
Edward Beaumont junior joined No. 10 on to this shop in 1882, and in 1884 he moved out of this shop and spread eastwards so that his new large shop (renamed the City Drapery Stores) comprised Nos. 10–12.
| Occupiers of 9 High
Street Grey shading indicates an earlier building on the site | |
| 1839 | Forster
& Bartlett Linen drapers |
| 1846 | Richard
Chilton Linen draper |
| 1852 | Chilton
& Beaumont Linen drapers |
| 1861 | Beaumont & Goodwin |
| 1866–1884 | E. Beaumont & Son Linen drapers & silk merchants [also at No. 10 from 1882] |
| 1885–1887/8 | Vacant |
| 1889–1908 | Standen
& Co. Tailors & robe makers |
| 1909–1954 | A.
R. Mowbray & Co. Church publishers |
| 1956–1971 | Part of Webbers (see Nos. 10–12) |
| 1973 | Costa International Menswear (also at Nos. 10–13) |
| 1975–1980+ | Jean Machine Co. |
| By 1995–present | Whistles Ladies’ fashion |