Humphrey's

H. Humphrey, Market Place, c. 1900.

Humphrey's was a well-known bakery and refreshment rooms, situated at 54 Market Place (where the entrance to Swan Walk is today).

The business appears to have been started by Harry Humphrey sometime between 1880 and 1900. Later he was assisted by his son Claude, who then took over the business when his father retired in the 1930s.¹

According to his daughter, Claude was a master baker, well-respected in the trade and very popular.² Sadly he died aged just 42, early in 1939, but he left the Humphrey name firmly established in the town.¹

References

¹ Charles J Whitwood, Introduction to A Romford Childhood, Romford Record No. 11 (1979), page 34.
² Jacky Cuttress (nee Humphrey), My Early Years, ibid., page 35.