ROW SEVENTY‑FOUR.

FASSETT'S ROW*1

Fassett's Row*2

Mayor Barker's Row (1800)*2

Cobb's South Row*2

Pocock's Row*2

Last's Row*2

Aldred's Row*2

“This row has now been wholly absorbed by the splendid up to date arcade now in the course of erection. (1927) Many fine oak beams were taken from the cottages just demolished, and some interesting letters were also discovered. An unique portion of an oak mullioned window bricked up in Barker's house at the north‑east corner was brought to light. The east covered entrance was most picturesque, containing much timber, and nine protruding beams on the north wall. See Sam Barker's name upon town house, 23 S.Quay. Also upon the Tolhouse”, wrote Johnson.

From Howard Street to King Street. Anciently called Fassett's Row. At the north‑east corner of this row, and occupying space between it and Row 73 is a large house now divided into two occupations, which in the latter part of the 18th C. and the beginning of the 19th.C., was the property and residence of Samuel Barker.*1

Whilst filling the office of Mayor, to which he was elected in 1800, Mr.Barker had the singular honour of entertaining to dinner in this house, Lord Nelson on his landing in England for the first time after the battle of the Nile.

In 1992, the site of Samuel Barker's house is occupied by what was a fine building of its type, but getting dilapidated above, where it is empty. It was the Lyon's Tea House, that became Boots the Chemist's store, and now is only occupied on the ground floor, by Freeman Hardy and Willis, the shoe shop.

The Royal Arcade is really a rebuild of row 74, it occupies exactly the same site. From the east end, on the north side, there is as said, Freeman Hardy Willis' shoe shop; next, Folkes antiques and jewellers; at no.73‑ Xenia fashion accessories; the Body shop; first steps, babywear and perambulators; no.67, Yarmouth wool shop; David Mobbs sports and sports shoes ‑ he has another shop in Gorleston High Street; Yarmouth Pet Stores; Herbert Mussino and Son, photographic supplies at nos.57 and 58; next is Crumbles takeaway and restaurant; and Kay Crawford at no.49‑52 completes the north side of row 74.

When however we continue along the arcade at right angles to the north, where it opens onto Regent Street, we pass row 73, then Oscars sweet shop, row 70, and the now empty shop of Datawyse computers and communications, (an unsuccessful venture that took over from a delicatessen that had been here some long time).

Here is the junction with Regent Street.

Coming back from Regent Street, on the west side, at the north‑west corner is the teleflorist; then Botwrights, Zenith windows, and two empty shops. After turning left into what again is or was row 74, there is at the south‑west corner of the row, at nos.31 and 32, Arcade Interiors ‑ the former pet shop; next is Central News; Gallery 2; Gladstones‑ handbags and small leather goods; at no.24 the crop shop hairdressers; Great Yarmouth Advertiser office; "The personal touch" at 21 and 22; "cobblers shoe repairs and key cutting"; nos.15‑18 is D.R.Grey's optician; then is Scholl shoes; "Granny wouldn't like it", occupied, but to let; Beaumont health stores; "Pop‑in" coffee and tea bar; one hour film developing is at "Snappy‑Snaps"; and the arcade finishes at the south‑east corner with "leather farm".

The Occupants, Row Seventy Four, 1886

( from King Street to Howard Street)

Pocock Bros., boot and shoe mart

Bales, W., french polisher

Ames, J., porter

Wilson, D., smacksman

Albrow, T.

Bacon, L, ship chandler

Macey, J., labourer

Hudsfield, J., shoemaker

Wright, G.

Bishop, Mrs.

Bean, J.

Rees, J., carpenter

Willson, R.

Fair, H.

Ames, Mrs.

Peek, S., labourer

Albrow, T., smacksman

Smith, Mrs.M.

Gedge, W.

The Occupants, Row Seventy Four, 1913

( from 173 King Street to 25 Howard Street South)

North side

1. Bales, William

2. Ames, James

3. Thompson, Mrs.

4. Leggett, Henry James

5. Wacey, Samuel Beverley

6. Middleton, George

7. Hogg, James

8. Strickland, Frank, S.K.

9. Bolton, Mrs.

10. Blake, Frederick

11. Bensley, Jeremiah

South side

14. Edwards, John Evans

15. Nickerson, Miss

16. Ames, Walter

17. Roberts, Frederick

19. Hunn, Jeffery

The Occupants, Row Seventy Four, 1927-36

None listed