Reference
Z1700
Title
Records of Harry Hills of Bedford, later Harry Hills (1961) Limited, Gentlemen's outfitters.
Date free text
1911-1985
Production date
From: 1911 To: 1985
Admin/biog history
Harry Hills Limited was incorporated on the 25th May 1928 'to carry on, develop and turn to account the business of Hatters, Hosiers and Gentlemen's Outfitters carried on by John Henry Hills at Nos 7 and 9 Silver Street, Bedford'. The shareholders in the private company were John Henry Hills (1870-1937) and Henry Alastair Moss. Although born in Kensington J H Hills had been an outfitter in Bedford since at least 1891and Henry Moss appears to have joined the company in 1904. In 1911 Henry Moss's brother, Cecil Edward Moss, was apprenticed to J H Hills.
J H Hills died on the 21 February 1937 and the company continued under Henry and Cecil Moss.
On the 23 March 1961 the company of Harry Hills (1961) Limited was incorporated with a share capital of 10,000 pounds. The shareholders being: Cecil Edward Moss, Herbert Gill, Ronald Henry Kentsbeer, Peter Henry Moss and Bobbie Albert Sidney Seagroatt. It is to this company that most of the records in the collection relate.
Herbert Gill retired in 1971. The company closed in 1984.
Scope and Content
Accounts, photograph, paperwork re. shop lease and winding up of business
Archival history
The records remained with Peter Moss (13/3/1929-14/7/2018), the son of C E Moss and nephew of H Moss, after the company closed and were passed to Bedfordshire Archives on behalf of Peter Moss's executors in 2018.
Loan status
TOCATawaiting cataloguing
Level of description
fonds