On the Bridge Street side of the Church Green corner, seen here in the early 20th century, was J Crabtree’s Boot and Shoe Warehouse, with hosier Thomas Hobson on the Church Green side.
Hobson was also a stocking knitter and smallware dealer, selling “yarns, Berlin wools, crochet cottons and knitting machines”.
“All kinds of Stockings Knit to Order or Re-footed on the shortest notice”, declared his advertising.
The Albert Hotel can just be glimpsed on the far left. Rebuilt by Timothy Taylor and Co in 1900 and intended as “an improvement to the town”, the Albert included two smoking rooms, a club-room and a “commercial room” for businessmen.
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