Norfolk House

Before 1851 William Pope had established himself as a draper in this house but soon relocated to Downham Market.

It, or part of it, perhaps at the rear, may also have been the home and workplace of the stationer, printer and bookseller John Sewell Gowing from about 1837 to 1850 when he was declared bankrupt.

He came from a printing family in Lowestoft and married into another at Holt – his wife ran a library in Swaffham. He appears on the 1841 census and the 1845 map but not in 1851.

On the 1839 map he appears to be sharing a workshop here with Frederick Skill – another printer.

Image-From the 1839 map

William Aldiss moved into Swaffham with his drapery business shortly after 1851, living above the store.

He died in 1873 at the early age of 42. His son John continued and extended the business until his death in 1923 by which time he was no longer living over the shop but at Oulton House on London Street (now Swaffham Heritage Museum).

His son John Francis carried on the business and continued to live in Oulton House.

By now the firm sold furniture and other items and had taken on another shop on edge of The Shambles.

John Francis died in 1944 and for the first time for almost a century a manager from outside the family was appointed.

The National Westminster Bank moved into brand new offices on the site on 1 January 1970.