Business Premises, 31-39 Rock Street and Eden Street, Bury

THE COMPLETION OF MESSRS. SEDGWICK AND HEAP'S NEW PREMISES - On Wednesday evening contractors and workmen who have been engaged on the erection of the handsome new premises in Rock street of Messrs. Sedgwick & Heap, tailors, drapers, etc. at present carrying on business in Stanley Street, Bury, were generously entertained by the members of the firm in celebration of the completion of the building and as a recognition of the generally satisfactory manner, notwithstanding the difficulties which have been experienced, in which the work has been carried out. The firm, we may state, commenced bustiness in a small shop, No. 7, Stanley street, about 14 years ago, and since that period the progress has been such as to warrant the proprietors in enlarging the business premises which they now occupy from time to time. As these premises will shortly be taken down by the corporation for street improvements, the erection of the new large and commodious building became necessary, and we understand it will be ready for the commencement of operations in about a month hence. 

The following is a description of the new building: - These new premises occupy a site at the corner of Rock Street and Eden Street, a frontage to Rock Street of 88 feet and to Eden Street of 71 feet and will be the largest drapery establishment in the town. The shop and work. rooms cover the entire site, the whole of which, almost, is excavated to form a basement shop or warehouse for heavy goods, such as linoleum, flannels, etc., and has a goods entrance direct from the back street. The ground floor is entirely devoted to business purposes, and will be divided into shops for drapery, millinery, carpets, shirts, and tailors' departments. the first floor is used partly as a wholesale drapery department. and partly let off as offices and the remainder as workrooms. Tho second floor is entirely devoted to workrooms for carpet makers and tailors. The premises have been designed by Messrs Maxwell and Tuke of Manchester and Bury, and carried out by the following contractors Mr. Thomas Clough, brick and stone; Mr. Tinline, woodwork; Mr. Caton, plumbing; Mr. Taylor, plastering and painting; Mr. Kay, slating. [Bury Times - Saturday 20 June 1885 page 6]

In July 1889 the partnership between Joseph Sedgwick, Thomas Heap, and Charles Chadwick, carrying on business as Tailors, Drapers, and General Merchants, at Rock-street, Bury was dissolved. Thomas Heap (in partnership with his son) continued the retail establishment in Rock Street, while Joseph Sedgwick retained the Manchester side of the business, entering into partnership with Henry Woodhead at 23 High Street.

Reference    Bury Times - Saturday 20 June 1885 page 6
Reference    London Gazette 29 October 1889 page 5742
Reference    The Century's Progress - Lancashire. 1892 - Sedgwick & Woodhead