Asher Hucklesby
Encyclopedia
Asher Hucklesby was five-times mayor of Luton
, Bedfordshire
between 1892 and 1906 and a major hat manufacturer in the town.
From modest beginnings as the son of a grocer in Stopsley
he became the owner of the largest hat business in Luton. Hucklesby began working for hat manufacturer CJ Rosson at the age of 13. When he eventually started his own business, it was an immediate success. In 1880 he bought the
site of the old Luton Times offices and the neighbouring Spencer's Yard in George Street for £4,500 and built a large warehouse (now demolished).
Hucklesby also used the upper floor of 48 George Street as a warehouse as well as 12 Guildford Street. Buying the site in George Street was a very shrewd business move. The building of the proposed tram
way in George Street had made it impossible for businesses along that road to load goods for the railway station but Hucklesby already owned Bond Street, which ran from George Street to Barber's Lane, giving him a private and direct link with the railway station
. Bond Street is now lost as a road in Luton, it would have run roughly where Primark
now is. The warehouse he built is now the site of MacDonalds and Snappy Snaps
. His business went on to be Lutons most successful hat manufacturing business during the 19th Century.
As well as his council duties and his thriving business, Hucklesby also found time to serve as a JP
and was active in the local church. He was president of the local YMCA
and also the Temperance Federation
. He was keen on educating the people of Luton and the University of Bedfordshire
is on the site of Luton Secondary (later Modern) School, which he helped to found in 1904 and was a member of the governing body.
Along with cllr Edwin Oakley, Hucklesby purchased the estate that became Wardown Park
for £16,500 in 1904 and sold it to Luton Council at the cost price, for the perpetual enjoyment of the people of Luton.
Hucklesby lived in Leaside Villa which was built in 1878 and is now a hotel and restaurant (The Leaside Hotel) and the newly constructed road outside the hotel bares his name (Hucklesby Way).
On his death in 1908 he was given a civic funeral, the largest the town has ever seen, with hundreds of people lining the route to his burial in Rothesay Road cemetery.
A more detailed account of his life can be found in the Bedfordshire Magazine, 1998, Vol.26, page 135.
Luton
Luton is a large town and unitary authority of Bedfordshire, England, 30 miles north of London. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 250,000....
, Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
between 1892 and 1906 and a major hat manufacturer in the town.
From modest beginnings as the son of a grocer in Stopsley
Stopsley
Stopsley is a ward in the north-east of Luton. Originally a hill-top village settlement, most of the urbanised part of the civil parish of Stopsley became part of Luton when the boundaries were extended in 1933, with the rural areas going to Hyde and Streatley.After the Second World War, there was...
he became the owner of the largest hat business in Luton. Hucklesby began working for hat manufacturer CJ Rosson at the age of 13. When he eventually started his own business, it was an immediate success. In 1880 he bought the
site of the old Luton Times offices and the neighbouring Spencer's Yard in George Street for £4,500 and built a large warehouse (now demolished).
Hucklesby also used the upper floor of 48 George Street as a warehouse as well as 12 Guildford Street. Buying the site in George Street was a very shrewd business move. The building of the proposed tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
way in George Street had made it impossible for businesses along that road to load goods for the railway station but Hucklesby already owned Bond Street, which ran from George Street to Barber's Lane, giving him a private and direct link with the railway station
Luton railway station
Luton railway station is located in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. The station is near to the town centre, about three minutes' walk from the Arndale Shopping Centre. It is situated on the Midland Main Line and is operated by First Capital Connect.-History:...
. Bond Street is now lost as a road in Luton, it would have run roughly where Primark
Primark
Primark is a clothing retailer, operating over 223 stores in Ireland , the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Belgium...
now is. The warehouse he built is now the site of MacDonalds and Snappy Snaps
Snappy Snaps
Snappy Snaps is a British photographic services franchise established in 1983 by Don Kennedy and Tim MacAndrews. there are 125 Snappy Snaps franchise locations throughout the UK...
. His business went on to be Lutons most successful hat manufacturing business during the 19th Century.
As well as his council duties and his thriving business, Hucklesby also found time to serve as a JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
and was active in the local church. He was president of the local YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
and also the Temperance Federation
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
. He was keen on educating the people of Luton and the University of Bedfordshire
University of Bedfordshire
The University of Bedfordshire is based in Luton and Bedford, the two largest towns in the English county of Bedfordshire. The university was created by the merger of the University of Luton and the Bedford campus of De Montfort University on 1 August 2006 following approval by the Privy Council...
is on the site of Luton Secondary (later Modern) School, which he helped to found in 1904 and was a member of the governing body.
Wardown Park
Wardown Park is situated on the River Lea in Luton. The park has various sporting facilities, is home to the Luton Museum & Art Gallery and contains formal gardens. The park is located between Old Bedford Road and the A6, New Bedford Road and is within walking distance of the town centre.At the...
for £16,500 in 1904 and sold it to Luton Council at the cost price, for the perpetual enjoyment of the people of Luton.
Hucklesby lived in Leaside Villa which was built in 1878 and is now a hotel and restaurant (The Leaside Hotel) and the newly constructed road outside the hotel bares his name (Hucklesby Way).
On his death in 1908 he was given a civic funeral, the largest the town has ever seen, with hundreds of people lining the route to his burial in Rothesay Road cemetery.
A more detailed account of his life can be found in the Bedfordshire Magazine, 1998, Vol.26, page 135.