No 27 was a separate little cottage unit until 1916 when it was amalgamated with No 25. It stayed that way all the way through to the 1970s when both 25 and 27 became integrated with the King's Head pub. No 27 became separated again in date when it became a bookmakers shop. It is now the Southwold Railway Shop and office for the Southwold Railway Trust.

1896
Thomas Naunton - Verger (K1896). Thomas is a tenant of William John Blythe who is now the owner of the King's Head (No 23) and the properties adjoining - No 25, No 27 and No 29.

1910
William John Blythe dies this year and the entire block is inherited by his widow, Lily Elizabeth.

1911
Thomas Herbert Hotchkin - Cabinetmaker and upholsterer (C). His shop is at No 63 High Street.

1916
Annie Clowe - Fancy Draper takes on the tenancy (K1916)

1924
Mrs Violet Bumstead - who, with her husband, George Bumstead (Snr), runs the butcher's shop / grocery/ greengrocery next door at No 25, now takes a lease on No 27 which becomes a millinery shop called 'The Hat Box'(K1924)

To read the childhood memories of his mother's hat shop by George Bumstead (Jnr), click here.

1930
Mrs Violet Bumstead dies in October this year and George Bumstead Snr continues to run the grocery. He and his sons, Jack and George, decide to discontinue the dress shop and integrate No 27 into the Grocery / Greengrocery business of No 25. (LM)

1941
George Bumstead (Snr) Shopkeeper. The shop is closed for the duration of the War on 28 June. (SRB). George's two sons, Jack and George, are now in the RAF.

We gratefully acknowledge the help of Jim Blythe in providing information on the Blythe and Bumstead families.

1947
J Noel Cooper, Williamson & Falck - Solicitors. We do not know when they set up at No 25/27 but they leave the address this year on 5th May. (SRB)

1947
A J Finch - Fruit and Vegetables. (SRB) Two months after the solicitors leave No 25/7, Finch is placing adverts inviting members of the community to register with him as their grocer. This would enable him to expand his product range and open up this shop once more as a full grocery. Food is still subject to wartime rationing in 1947. Each family or individual has to register with a specified local supplier from whom their rations will exclusively be bought. It is only permitted to purchase rations from the supplier with whom you are registered.

1953
A J Finch - Provisions

?

1972 -1975 (approx)
Tom Bryant - Grocer and Greengrocer (LM)

The former shop at No 25 together with No 27 are absorbed into the King's Head at no 23, for which they become a restaurant.

Date
RaceWay Services - Turf Accountants. No 27 becomes a separate unit again.

c1990
Pete's Hairdresser occupies 27b at the rear of the building with entrance in York Road

Date
Mark Church - Complementary and natural health counsellor, practises fron No 27b - entrance at the rear of the building in York Road.

Date
Southwold Railway Shop

Mark Church - Complementary and natural health counsellor, practises fron No 27b - entrance at the rear of the building in York Road.