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| East Street Tonbridge |
I was recently looking through the 1932 Kelly Directory for Tonbridge and noticed how the quiet East Street we know today was once a thriving row of small businesses. How times change!!
Below is a list of occupants from the corner building which is now Lloyds Bank to the properties directly opposite Lyons Crescent. The sights and smells I will have to leave to your imagination.
(The Kelly Street Directories and the South Kent Traders Directories are available for the use of the general public and are kept in the Reference Library in Avebury Avenue)
No.2. Bunting, Herman, Dewey, Tuckett, PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS
No.4 Mrs E Coote, CONFECTIONER
No.6 Smith, FRIED FISH SHOP
No.8 Burrs, BOOTMAKER
No.10 Lockyer & Sons, WATCHMAKERS
No.12 Allen Osborne & Son, BLACKSMITHS
No.14 Jack Wheeler, BEER RETAILER
No.16 Isaac Race, AUCTION ROOMS
Here is Church Street
No.18 THE VICARAGE
No.20 Joseph Goodland, MOTOR ENGINEER
Great piece of info' Tonbridge.
ReplyDeleteMy father told me that the main road to Maidstone from Tonbridge used to be Vale Road, which also was lined with shops, my children's Great, great Grandfather had a butcher's shop there before he moved to Castle Street, and finally St Mary's Road, where I believe there was a row of shops too.
As East Street was probably another main route into town, it could account for shops locating there to catch passing trade.
So when did the name change from Swan Lane to East Street?
ReplyDeleteSwan Lane became East Street between the 1871 and 1881 census'.
ReplyDeleteI noticed a pub called The Swan in one of the census', maybe this then became The Man of Kent?
@handyplaster I believe the Port Reeves House was once an inn called Swan Inn. There seems to be no evidence of a trading inn or public house from the 1932 Kelly Directory between The High Street and Church Street - so The Man of Kent must have appeared after this time.
ReplyDelete@anonymous I hope that handyplaster has come close to answering your question.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tonbridge, I can see the old house as an Inn. Maybe the swans walked up and down the lane from the river!
ReplyDeleteAnyone know more about Mrs E Coote. This is my maiden name. Would love to know more about her please
ReplyDelete