No. 1 Market Place, Hitchin

In 2015, No. 1 Market Place is the home of the HSBC Bank, but there's been an interesting history attached to the site where the bank now stands.

In 1591 there was a house in the Market Place called Red House where Thomas Chapman, the bailiff of the manor and brother of George Chapman, the poet and translator of Homor lived.  It is thought that Red House was No. 1 Market Place.

Later the building was owned by Josias Hobbs a Hitchin silkman, who sold the house to Michael Harding (an innholder) in 1631.  At this time the Red House was a cordwainer. (A shoemaker or worker in cordovan (Spanish) leather.

In 1668 The Red House (and The George's) leases were sold to John Freeman of Luton for 5/-.

During the years 1730-1818 The Red House was an inn leased to John Bradley, a brewer.

From 1851-1878 the building was leased to Charles Newton who was a linen and woollen draper.

Photo from 'Hitchin Past and Present' by Pat Gadd.

Later still, during the years 1890-1899, Alexander Lamb (also a draper) used the building for his business, and lived in the private house next door.  The private house had railings around it and young boys would hang over the railings flirting with the girl shop assistants who lived in the basement rooms.

Photo from 'Hitchin Past and Present' by Pat Gadd.

No.1 Market Place continued as a drapery until 1920, when the The Red House building was demolished and a bank built on the site.  The Midland Bank was in business from 1922-1992.  It was my first bank, and I remember feeling excited to have my own cheque book, which, if my memory serves me right, the cheques were striped with a mustard yellow.

In 1992, The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) acquired full ownership of The Midland Bank, and the HSBC has been at No. 1 Market Place ever since.