Where is No.37 Fore Street?
If you are particularly observant, you may have noticed that No.37 Fore Street is missing.
The Market Bar occupies No.33-35 Fore Street, whilst the next property along is The Corn Exchange at No39 Fore Street.
So what happened to F.W.Beard menswear, Savage's hardware shop, and the Thistledoo café?
Let's focus on the northern stretch of Fore Street to the east of Shire Hall.
Early 1800s
The range of buildings numbered 25-35 are some of the oldest remaining premises in Fore Street, built in the late 17th or early 18th century. This engraving of 1823 shows the buildings to the left of Hertford gaol and the Cross Keys Inn. There are nine 'bays' or windows on each upper floor.Also worthy of note is that John Briant's clock had yet to be added to Shire Hall.
The Corn Exchange
By the middle of the 19th century, the gaol buildings had been replaced by the town's first dedicated Corn Exchange. Trading in corn and other grains previously took place in an arcade on the ground floor of the nearby Shire Hall. The Cross Keys Inn still occupied the site to the immediate east.
Corn Exchange II
The first Corn Exchange lasted barely twenty years before being replaced in 1859 by the grander building we know today. In this photo we can see the neighbouring shops of cooper and basketmaker T.Savage, and men's outfitters F.W.Beard. At the time these two premises were numbered Nos.31 & 33 Fore Street.
Market Place
The construction of Shire Hall in 1771 must have had a dramatic impact on Fore Street, especially the modestly sized Market Place. What was once a square used by traders and stallholders became streets surrounding the grand new assembly rooms and courthouse. This photo taken by renowned local photographer Arthur Elsden, thought to be from the 1880s, shows the market to the rear of Shire Hall [Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies]
Ordnance Survey 1st Edition
This map of 1879 shows the area around Shire Hall, including the Corn Exchange to the east and brewery behind the Cross Keys Inn.
Market Relocation
In 1890 No.33 Fore Street was demolished and a new street put through between No.31 and the Corn Exchange. At the same time, a covered market was built behind the Corn Exchange.
New Fore Street junction
The new junction of Fore Street and Market Street can be seen in this photo taken around the turn of the century. On the corner opposite the Corn Exchange is the Thistledoo luncheon and tea rooms.
Thistledoo
In 1926, Louisa Munday and her brother James Roberts ran Thistledoo, having taken it over from Messrs. Richardson & Schaeffer.Following the construction of the war memorial, properties along this stretch were renumbered.
Market Street widened
The coming of the motor car and public transport were to result in further demolition, with No.35 removed to make way for a bus stop in the 1930s. For a period No.33 became a bus office until the onset of WWII.
Post war
This view from around the late 1960s shows a contemporary selections of shops. Foster Brothers menswear at No.25, Halfords at Nos.27-29, P&H Shepherd tobaconnists at No.31 and Currys at No.33.