101 Regent Street, Cambridge

History of 101 Regent Street

1913

Matchless Supply Company for musical instruments, watches and jewellery

1924

Herbert Robinson Ltd, Regent Street — new car showroom, 26 April 1924
The new showroom of Messrs Herbert Robinson Ltd, Regent Street, Cambridge was formally opened. There is room for the display of 15 cars at a time, and those at present on view include such well known makes as Vauxhall, Fiat, Hillman, Citroen, Daimler and Calthorpe, all of the latest type. Demonstration runs will be given, with no obligation to buy. They will take your present motor car in part exchange for a new one, and arrange deferred payments if you wish.
Credit: Mike Petty, Cambridge REGENT STREET Scrapbook, entry 1924 04 26.

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1928

Herbert Robinson & Son, Regent Street — Vauxhall exhibition, 18 May 1928
In the spring a motorist’s fancy turned to the thought of a new car and the Cambridge public have the opportunity of inspecting the whole range produced by the well-known Vauxhall firm. These are attractively displayed in the spacious showroom of Messrs Herbert Robinson & Son, Regent Street. The staff has been augmented with chauffeurs, salesmen, mechanics and service engineers under the charge of the assistant car sales manager of Vauxhall Motors. The models on view include the Princeton tourer, £475; Bedford saloon, £495 and Kimpton coach-built sports saloon, £695
Credit: Mike Petty, Cambridge REGENT STREET Scrapbook, entry 1928 05 18.

Herbert Robinson, Regent Street — supplying the council’s new car, 11 December 1928
Cambridge councillors considered the provision of a car to replace the Ford at present used in the Highways Department. They agreed to transfer the Austin used by the Borough Surveyor and authorise him to obtain prices for the purchase of a new car. Subsequently he submitted estimates for a new Austin in part exchange for the old Ford car from Messrs Marshall & Co, Jesus Lane (£285.2s) and Herbert Robinson, Regent Street (£276). They are to accept the Robinson’s offer
Credit: Mike Petty, Cambridge REGENT STREET Scrapbook, entry 1928 12 11.

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1929

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Herbert Robinson’s garage — former Llandaff Chambers and Fountain Inn site, 21 September 1933
Herbert Robinson opened a small shop in Regent Street, 30 years ago, where he commenced selling Premier bicycles. Today his extensive new garage occupies the site of Llandaff Chambers and the old Fountain Inn. It embraces motorcars, motor cycles, bicycles, baby carriages, wireless and gramophones and features a turntable for cars and an overhead runway which enables parts to be conveyed from one side to another. 33 09 21
Credit: Mike Petty, Cambridge REGENT STREET Scrapbook, entry 1933 09 21.

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1937

Herbert Robinson Filling Station

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1939

Herbert Robinson’s garage — provision of air raid shelters, 9 October 1939
The majority of basements in Cambridge are useless as public air raid shelters since they need to be capable of holding between 50 and 100 people. But those at Herbert Robinson’s Garage in Regent Street, Zion Baptist Church, Mr Wheatley’s in Sturton Street and Potts’ Mineral Water Works in Castle Street are suitable. However these are not enough and shelters should be constructed in various areas. They will be of brick and concrete and accommodate 50 people. Shelters in schools should be available for the public during the night and at week-ends.39 10 09a
Credit: Mike Petty, Cambridge REGENT STREET Scrapbook, entry 1939 10 09.

Herbert Robinson’s garage — basement shelter for over 700 people, 27 October 1939
Hitler’s bombs will have no effect on the air raid shelter in the basement of Herbert Robinson’s garage in Regent Street which is not only the largest in Cambridge but impregnable even from a direct hit. It has three steel reinforced floors above the actual basement which comprise the shelter. Experts say that even if the first or second floors were damaged by a direct hit from a bomb, people sheltered would still be immune. It comprises 6,000 square feet and has accommodation for over 700 people 39 10 27a
Credit: Mike Petty, Cambridge REGENT STREET Scrapbook, entry 1939 10 27.

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1941

Robinson’s premises, Regent Street — Clement Attlee’s visit, 9 October 1941
Clement Attlee sees war work factory at Robinson’s premises, Regent Street – photo – 41 10 09

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1949

Herbert Robinson’s garage — first post-war motor show, 18 May 1949
The Humber Hawk, newest car to come off the production line, is one of a group of cars and lorries displayed at Messrs Herbert Robinson’s garage, Regent Street, Cambridge in their first show since the war ended. Other types include the Humber Pullman Super Snipe, Sunbeam-Talbot 90 and Hillman Minx. If you care to put your name on the end of about 600 other people you might get your new car in a few years time! Meanwhile, until new cars become more plentiful we must be satisfied just with looking at them through such shows
Credit: Mike Petty, Cambridge REGENT STREET Scrapbook, entry 1949 05 18.

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1964

Turner and Hoare petrol filling station