108: Oddbins
No. 108 used to be a smaller shop in the middle of a terraced row, but when its immediate neighbours to the west, Nos. 109 and 110, were obliterated in 1873 to make room for King Edward Street, it was rebuilt as a large corner shop, designed by F. Codd.
The 1851 census shows Henry Floyd, the ironmonger at the former No. 108, living over his shop with his wife, two apprentices, and a general servant, as well as George Hewett, a land surveyor, listed as a separate household of one. By 1861 William Floyd had taken over the business: he is described as the employer of 15 men.
At the time of the 1881 census Charles Garrard Hitchcock, the chemist at the present shop, lived upstairs with his wife, two daughters, and two servants.
| Occupiers of 108 High
Street Grey background indicates a former shop on the same site | |
| 1839 | Edward
& Hewit Ironmongers & Engineers |
| By 1846–1852+ | George Hewett Land surveyor Henry Floyd Ironmonger –– Thomas Wyatt, Baker (1846 only) |
| 1866–1871 | J.
Goundrey Ironmonger |
| 1875–1905 | Hitchcock &
Sons [later & Co.] Chemists |
| 1906–1937 | Dolbear &
Goodall Chemists |
| 1939–1975 | Savory &
Moore Ltd Chemists |
| By 1980–present | Oddbins |