The Shambles

Nationwide Building Society

5a Market Place

The Shambles

History

At some time in the 20th century the original three-story building with two separate entrances on the north side shown on the photograph – unfortunately no date – was demolished and replaced with two separate units and a once shared upper floor.

Note the surviving building on the extreme right on both photographs – the only remaining old Shambles building.

In 1845 the shop on the left corner was Lack’s saddlery. Next to it, and the second door on the old photograph, was a house occupied by Benjamin Powley, a draper and tailor, who appears to have moved across the street to the north side of the Marketplace by 1861.

By 1881 the two houses appear to be occupied from left to right by Elizabeth Plumb, an earthenware dealer and Sarah Randall, a shopkeeper.

The Shambles

The Occupants

In 1845 the shop on the left corner was Lack’s saddlery.

Next to it, and the second door on the old photograph, was a house occupied by Benjamin Powley, a draper and tailor, who appears to have moved across the street to the north side of the Marketplace by 1861.

By 1881 the two houses appear to be occupied from left to right by Elizabeth Plumb, an earthenware dealer and Sarah Randall, a shopkeeper.

In 1985 Abbotts sold nos 5 and 5a to Anglia Building Society which had been granted planning permission to convert the buildings into offices.

In 1987 Anglia merged with Nationwide Building Society.

Reveal The Shambles history, today

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modern image

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Marketplace, Swaffham

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