Albion Buildings, whose name is proudly displayed on the skyline, have been the home of many noted Dunstable businesses, including the William Hill betting office and the grocery shop known as the International Tea Stores. Long before that, there was an inn on the site called the Saracen's Head. It is mentioned in many history books because it was once the home of Adam Hilton, who was the Prior of Dunstable's bailiff when King Henry VIII ordered the Priory monastery to be pulled down. The inn, once owned by the Priory, then became the king's property and was rented to Adam Hilton for £4 a year. When the Saracen's Head closed, probably in the 1700s, its name was transferred to the pub further down the road. A hat factory later stood on the site but this was demolished in 1851 and replaced by the present building, originally called Albion House. It was built by Mr Osborn as a draper's shop with accommodation for himself and his shop assistants. When he retired it was converted into two shops, one used by Walter Francis as a home furnishing store, proudly promising in 1899 to kit out houses at the shortest notice. The other shop became the International Tea Stores, a branch of a nationwide chain of grocers which eventually bought both shops and thrived before the arrival of supermarkets.
Text: John Buckledee of Dunstable and District Local History Society. ©
Design: David Turner.
Narration: Veronica Yates of Dunstable Repertory Company.
Recording: David Hornsey.
Website developer: Joshua Buckledee.