Bedford
Trade and Industry
Chetham, Sons & Biffen

Places > Bedford > Trade and Industry > Chetham, Sons & Biffen

The business was founded in the mid 19th century by Samuel Chetham who was a wool-stapler. By 1864 he had converted a redundant wharf at Batts Ford into a boathouse and began to build and hire boats.

By 1878 he had prospered so much that he was able to have his own premises built in Commercial Road. Another oatbuilder was William Biffin and the two firms merged in 1891 and became Chetham, Sons & Biffen and soon earned a reputation, which won them a Royal Warrant. In 1902 they opened their new boathouse in Duck Mill Lane.

Chetham, Sons & Biffen by Bedfordshire Libraries, 2014

Page last updated: 7th May 2014