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A street view of Fitzroy Street in 1970, showing storefronts with geometric brick facades and a domed building in the distance.

53 – 55 Fitzroy Street (north side) 1970 (MoC 34/92/70)

53 (103) Fitzroy Street, Cambridge

History of 53 Fitzroy Street

1891 (104-103)

William Heffer, 47, bookseller and stationer,

Mary, 55,

Kate A, 14, bookseller’s assistant,

George H, 22, banker’s clerk,

Ernest W, 19, bookseller’s assistant,

Lucy M, 17, bookseller’s assistant,

Emma L, 16,

Frank, 15,

Sidney, 13,


1892

29.1.1892 Camb. Chronicle: STEALING A PACK OF PLAYING CARDS – Thomas Allen, 15, labourer, of 129 Lower York Street was charged with having stolen a pack of playing cards of the value 1s from the shop of Mr William Heffer, Fitzroy Street, on Saturday evening. The complainant said on Saturday night last he missed two packs of cards. He saw the prisoner in the shop and at the same time another boy came in for a half-penny stamp, for which purposes he had to go into another part of the shop. His suspicion being arouses by the other boy turning back for a second stamp, he looked towards the door and saw the prisoner’s hand come down from a shelf to his pocket. The boy denied having taken anything and the witness let him go, but went out immediately and brought the boy back. Whilst walking towards the shop the prisoner dropped a pack of cards on the pavement. PC Symonds gave evidence as to arresting the prisoner. The prisoner elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment.


Studio portrait of an elderly man with thinning grey hair and a short, full white beard, wearing a dark suit and cravat.

William Heffer

Black and white studio portrait of an elderly woman wearing circular spectacles and a high-necked dark lace-collared dress.

Mary Heffer


1901 (103 – 104)

William Heffer, 57, bookseller and postmaster,

Mary, 65,

Kate A, 34, bookseller

George H, 32, bank clerk

Lucy M, 27, bookseller

Emma L, 26, hospital nurse

Frank, 25, bookseller

Sidney, 23, bookseller

Florrie West, servant, 21, b Cambridge

In 1896 William Heffer moved his shop to Petty Cury.

In 1911 the Heffer family were at 7 Mortimer Road


1913 (103)

W Heffer and Sons, stationers, printers


1939 (53)

A G Balaam, stationer


1962 (53)

J D’Arcy Penberthy, stationer and Post Office

Projects

  • Fitzroy Street

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