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 early occupants of the original house on this site can be identified from Balliol College deeds relating to the house next door that made way for the road, as it names the adjoining neighbours to the east. Thus the old No. 108, a tenement of Oriel College, was occupied as follows:
- 28 June 1589: Garbrand Harkes
- 31 December 1618: Mrs Garbrand
- 31 December 1642 and 18 January 1667/8: Toby Garbrand alias Harkes
- 14 October 1702, 14 October 1712: William Pufford, coffeeman
- 12 November 1722: Widow Pufford
- 10 December 1790: William Jones, silversmith
- 11 January 1797: Blunt, breeches-maker
- 21 July 1804: Widow Jones
- 27 January 1820 and 31January 1832: Thomas Slatter, tailor
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 |