Townsend’s Cycleries, Norfolk Street Cambridge

34 Norfolk Street

History of 34 Norfolk Street

The John Albert Townsend cycle making business started in 1895. His father kept the Royal Engineer public house in Norfolk Street. the workshop had started as a cowshed as when he first married he started a dairy business with a herd of cows. After two years he switched to cycle manufacture. he set up with a colleague called Loker and they made their name as manufacturers of the Light Blue Bicycle, a made to measure bicycle. John’s personal bicycle was put on display at 15 Burleigh Street.

1901

John A Townsend, 32, cycle maker, b Cambridge

Margaret L, 30, b Cambs

Frank A, 8, b Cambridge

Emily A, 6, b Cambridge

Trilly M, 4, b Cambridge

Eva M, 7 mos, b Cambridge

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1913

J A Townsend, cycle maker

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1939

John A Townsend, b 1868, cycle maker

Margaret L, b 1870

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1963

The Townsend business moved to 15 Burleigh Street