Old shops in High Street, Keighley

[danielbland]

Hi All

New to this group, which looks a great source of local knowledge.

Having just overseen the restoration of the framers (M&J Framing) on High Street, I am researching the historic development of the adjacent shop to ensure my proposals are sympathetic to the building and its history.

The building that I am looking at is 16-18 High Street, currently Khans takeaway with 'Body Zone' adjacent. I know it was Ramsdens fish and chip shop during the first half of the C20th, and Jefferson's during the mid-late C19th. 

Ideally photographic records are really useful, but any information people may have would be gratefully received. I have visited the Local Studies Library in town but unfortunately they did not have anything specifically illustrating the building in question.

Many thanks

Daniel

[Andy Wade]

Hi Daniel,
Can I start with saying the upper windows of the framers shop look magnificent and you've done a tremendous job with them. I have just been looking at a picture of General Booth coming through High Street in 1905 and you can clearly see the detail in the windows and this afternoon I drove past the same spot and noticed that they were looking very smart indeed.
Here's a picture of General Booth's visit from the History Society's archive:



I'll have a look through the Society's archive of images showing the building you're interested in.

[Andy Wade]

Number 18, High Street:
The 1881 census has James and Victoria Holmes living there with a large family of five sons and one daughter and one servant. James was a confectioner and baker and I presume this was what the shop was selling.

The 1891 census has them still there but James now has five sons and three daughters. Presumably he didn't need a servant any more with all those willing hands in the family.

By 1901 they had moved to 198, Oakworth Road, James was still a Confectioner and aged 55 by now.

A Simon Billows was at at 16, High Street in the 1890 Electoral Roll and if you look at the General Booth photo I posted earlier, you can see the sign above what is now Khans, says 'Billows' on it.

Haven't been able to find 1901 and 1911 census information for this address as the computer connection is playing up at the moment.

[danielbland]

Many thanks Andy, apologies for the late reply busy week.
Glad you like the work we have done to the framers. The reinstatement of the first floor windows was an important part of the project; with the new shop front and removal of the previous cementitious render they make a positive contribution to the street scheme and Conservation Area - even if I do say so myself.

I have seen the picture of general Booths visit before, whilst researching the framers. Have you seen the picture from mid Dickensian times? Unfortunately I cannot see how to upload a picture at the moment.

Anyhow, back to 16-18 High Street. I have a couple of pictures; one taken from the Oakworth Rd end and pictures 18 High Street when Jefferson occupied it and High Street before widening, and another from around 1935 which shows the staff of Ramsdens Fish and Chip shop/restaurant which occupied no.18 also.

Regards

Daniel