Building record 1160/0/625 - 109 Clare Street, Northampton

Former corner shop/bakery with ghost sign

{1/2/3/4} This corner property was for sale in two newspaper adverts in 1890. In the first it was described as a “baker’s shop and dwelling house”. The second advert adds the information that it has an “out-door beer licence attached” and that would explain the presence of the letters A S which must be part of the word ALES and the possible words BITTER and VICTUALLER. A series of bakers and their families can be identified living and working here in censuses and Kelly’s directories. It is a bakery, grocers shop, off-licence and home for many years. In the 1901 census Thomas George Roberts is here and is described as “Baker Bread-maker, Beer Retailer”. Thomas is also mentions as being in occupation in one of the 1890 sales adverts and the building plot looks to have been for sale in 1888. The 1890 Kelly’s has him as a shop keeper and beer retailer. It is still recorded as a bakers shop in 1973 Kelly's. The building at the back which is on Carey Street is now residential and known as The Old Bakehouse. There may have been two signs with some letters from an earlier sign showing through which makes it difficult to decipher. There was a bicycle business here in the 1980s and 90s but the sign dates from before that time.

<1> Project volunteers and MOLA, 2026, Ghosts of Industry record forms (Digital archive). SNN117091.

<2> The Mercury and Herald (Newspaper). SNN3529.

<3> Kelly, Directory for Northamptonshire, 1890 p446,1973 p365 (Directory). SNN105309.

<4> 1851, Census (General reference), 1901 (Document). SNN41839.

Record last edited

Oct 14 2026 11:16AM