90 High Street

In 1865 No90 was William and Henry Brand, Outfitters shop but by 1900 it had become a Drapers shop run by Frank Ethelbert Burgess. If you look at the 2nd picture you will see the mosaic tiled front step spelling out W and E Turner who ran the shop well into the late 1960's as a Boot and Shoe shop. Following on from the shoe shop Bettatravel moved from No89 in the 1970's next door to No90 and carried on until the owners retired in 2016, then Bright Ideas moved from No127 until they closed in 2022

CREDIT: Lowestoft High Street, The Butcher, The Baker and The Candlestick Maker by Crispin Hook 2016 Get the book

Current Address: 90/91 High Street.

Old Address: not applicable

East or West Side: East side

When built: This building was erected in 1880 replacing two earlier buildings. Brief history/features: The architect was W. O. Chambers of Lowestoft.  It was built for a local grocer and wine merchant named Adam Sparrow Clarke. Clarke had occupied another shop immediately opposite in the 1860s.  By 1871 he had moved across the road and was living at the old No. 91 after his original shop was demolished. At that time No. 90 was a separate building. When first erected there was only one shop (that of Clarke), the northern section being the dwelling house for Clarke and his family. Adam S Clarke retired and left town in 1891 and the property was sold and it was sub-divided, the northern section (No.90) later having a shop front added.  Former Notable Owners: (I can’t really find any as Clarke was the first to inhabitant of this 1880 building – but see below) Little known fact: Living with his family at No. 90 High Street in 1861 was a wealthy coal importer named George Seppings.  His son, Henry, would become one of Lowestoft’s leading townsmen in the late 19th century, serving as provisional Mayor when Lowestoft’s Charter of Incorporation was formally received in 1885. He served again as Mayor in 1889/90. Henry Seppings joined the Lowestoft Artillery Volunteers in 1859 and rose to the rank of Colonel and the Commanding Officer. He Died October 1907 aged 80.