No. 32 High Street
No. 32 is at the market end of the High Street and adjoins the Rose and Crown Hotel. It is a four storey building with shop front at ground level.
A Trade Directory from 1840 reveals the shop at this time was a woollen drapers and tailors occupied by John Evis Elvidge who can be traced at No 32 right up until the time of the 1869 when he may have retired as he and his wife Elizabeth and one servant are still residing above the shop at the time of the 1871 census.
The shop is remains a tailors for several years after, run by James Raw from 1870 until at least 1896 by which time he adds hatter to his list of services. The shop remains a tailors run by Frederick Glenny from 1896 and by Robert Thomas from 1904.
A postcard dated c.1905 shows a large 19th century shop front and above it a sign advertising the availability of a public telephone.
By 1916, Kellys Directory lists the Maypole Dairy Co. Ltd, butter merchants at No. 32 who remain at the property as grocers until at least 1940-1 according to the directory of that year.
Photographs from the 1960s show Coombes Shoe Repairs had taken over by this time. Planning documents held at Fenland District Council show proposed plans for a replacement shopfront submitted in 1969 by Dewhursts Butchers. An architects drawing for the application shows the proposed shop front. A new shopfront with a more historic character has since replaced this one.
Photographs from the 1980s show Dewhursts were still there at this time and by 2001 it had become the Wisbech Cane Centre. The building is currently empty having recently been occupied by a solicitors.
No. 32 High Street
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JE. ELVIDGE, Woollen Draper and Tailor, High-street, Wisbech, ever grateful for extensive and increasing patronage, informs his friends and the public that he has Removed to those most eligibly-situated Premises (adjoining the Rose and Crown Hotel) formerly occupied by Mr. Wm. Dow, which he has materially improved; and where he respectfully invites their inspection of his new Stock of Goods, consisting of West of England and Saxony Cloths and Caasimeres of the first quality, Yorkshire Milled Cloths and Kerseys, Diamond Fancy Mixed and Plain Milled Waterproof Beavers, Pilots, Plain and Fancy Doeskins and Tweeds, rich Figured Velvet Satin, and other Waistcoatings, Woollen Cords, Velveteens, Cotton Cords, &c— Gentlemen’s best London Hats. J. E. E. takes this opportunity of assuring his friends that it will be his constant endeavour to secure their confidence, by offering to them Goods of the very first respectability, and wbich he will complete in the best style of fashion.
N.B. A vacancy for a respectable Youth as as Apprentice.
Advert in Stamford Mercury 17 December 1841.
An advert in the Stamford Mercury dated 27 February 1807 appears to refer to this property.
TO SILVERSMITHS, WATCH-MAKERS, & c.
TO BE LET,
And entered upon at Old Lady-day next,
An old and well established SHOP in the silver, plated, Sheffield, Clock and Watch-making branches, desirably situate in the High-Street In Wisbech adjoining the Rose and Crown Inn there, being the best situation for the above or any other trades in the town of Wisbech, with a convenient Dwelling house, Yard, and other Premises belonging, now in the occupation of Mr George Lefevre.
Enquire (if by letter, post ) of Mr. Medworth, Castle, Wisbech.
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