Hungrilla Gourmet Grill
In August 2023, 37 Station Street was vacant. There was a sign announcing that Hungrilla Gourmet Grill was “coming soon“. This was reported in an article on NottinghamshireLive in May 2023. According to their Instagram account, Hungrilla now have branches in Nottingham, Mansfield and Kirkby-in-Ashfield. I am grateful to a number of local people for confirming that Hungrilla is now open. In a comment on Kirkby-in-Ashfield People Facebook Group, David Collinge commented that it opened in October 2023. Jane Phillips noted that Hungrilla offered both eat-in and takeaway options but, as of early November 2023, was only able to accept cash.
From March 2022 to April 2023, the building looked empty and the “To Let” sign was in place.
Lloyds Bank
From June 2015 to June 2021, it housed Lloyds Bank. Before that it was Lloyds TSB and before that TSB.
Leonard Morris
In 1941 and 1942, Leonard Morris was at 37 Station Street, a picture frame maker, although the current building has a modern look to it.
W H Wightman
In 1928, W H Wightman had a jewellers here. Wightman Jewellers are listed on Jacques’ List of Station Street retailers circa 1920-1940.
Standard Gramophone Company
Jacques’ list also gives these premises as the location of Standard Gramophone Company before they moved further along Station Street.
Wightman’s
Edith Searson, in her book(let) “I Also Remember“, remembered Wightman’s on the corner of Ellis Street. She noted that it later became the Trustee Bank, presumably prior to becoming Lloyds TSB and then Lloyds.
In the 1899 Kelly’s Directory, William Wightman is listed as a watchmaker and running the Post Office.
W H Wightman was a jeweller who applied to Kirkby Tribunal for an exemption to military service. When he was asked if his work was of national importance, he replied that people needed to be able to tell the time!
Based on photographs and adverts from the time, it seems that Wightman’s were much more than just watchmakers and jewellers. Not only did they run the Post Office, but they also offered an optician’s service. They sold bikes, motor bikes and cars. They occupied 37-41 Station Street at some point, including, for example, in 1921.
Photographs of Wightman’s
The Wightmans
I have come across two William Henry Wightmans. William Henry Wightman (senior) was born in 1857. I assume he is the one referred to in the 1899 Kelly’s Director. One of his sons (b1880) was also William Henry. I assume he was the one who applied to Kirkby Tribunal for an exemption to military service in the first world war. The senior William Henry’s other children included Annie (b1882), Kate (b1884), Alma (b1896) and Emma (b1889). I think he married twice. These children were with his first wife, Emma Wharmsby, who he married in 1877. She appears to have died in 1891. He remarried, to Elizabeth Bailey, in 1893. He appears to have died in 1915.
Connection to James Wightman?
Wightmans was a butchers on the corner of Diamond Avenue and Kingsway at, or close to, the location where the Regent cinema was built. This was originally the business of James Wightman. I have not yet estanlished whether James Wightman and William Henry Wightman were related.
Residents of 37 Station Street
The Salmons
In 1939, Arthur and Muriel Salmon were registered as living there. He was a furniture dealer and was also part of the Nottingham Police Force War Reserve. There is also one closed record. In 1921, no-one was recorded as living at number 37.
The Wightmans
In 1911, William Henry and Elizabeth Wightman were living there with their two step-children Alice Emily Bailey (b1889) and Helen S Bailey (b1893). He was described as a retail shopkeeper (transcribed as shopbearer) watches and jewellery. There is also a note that he was the sub-postmaster. Both Alice and Helen are described as assistants in the Post Office.
William Henry and Elizabeth Wightman were also living at number 37 in 1901. He was described as sub postmaster and jeweller. Living with them were four of his children, William Henry, Annie, Katie and Emma. William Henry was described as a watch and clock repairer, Annie as a clerk in the Post Office and Kate as a domestic servant. Also with them were three of her children, Alice Bailey, James Toon Bailey (b1887) and Nellie Bailey (b1893). It is worth noting that the Post Office was later at 48 Station Street. This was run by James Toon Bailey.
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