Hickman Stores

In 1915 conveyance of Kia Cottage

In 1915 several local properties were sold by auction. They were all part of the estate of Thomas Dell of Saunderton, passed down from Joshua Dell, born 1757. One of them was Kia Cottage. It was described as "A piece of land with freehold cottage and outbuildings. For some years past in the occupation of Amos James". Harold Hickman bought Kia Cottage for £185. The Hickmans did not live there, but continued to let it to Amos James and his wife Pol Ann.

Two Dell boys with bicycles

1924 Harold Hickman built a house in the garden of Kia Cottage, on the Main Road in Lacey Green. He called it "Wembley". It was the year of the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Park, which maybe inspired the name. Downstairs, facing the Main Road was a large room, designed to be a shop. Harold & Emily Hickman moved into the rest of the house. This was to be "HICKMAN STORES", a much loved establishment for the rest of the century.

17^th March 1965.  Conveyance.   The executors of Emily Hickman conveyed to Bert Ralph George Dell, at the bequest of her late husband ---All the shop and dwelling premises known as ‘The Stores’, now in the occupation of Bert Ralph George Dell.

1967 Nigel Kelloway on the bike

5th April 1965 Conveyance.   Harry Floyd of Floyds Farm sold to Bert Ralph George Dell for £100.  All that piece of land, part of Floyd Farm, running in a narrow triangle to a point behind ‘The Stores’ and ‘Kia Cottage’. ( this Conveyance is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)

1964    Now called "Hickman Stores", the property was altered, extended and modernised. ( The plan of the alterations is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)

24^th February 1986   Conveyance.   Bert Ralph George Dell of Lacey Green sold to Brian Thomas and Barbara June Norris of 25 Goviots Green, Gerrards Cross. All that shop and dwelling premises, known as ‘Hickmans Stores’, with no land, for £95,000. (a certified copy of this Conveyance is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall.)

Changed hands once more before closing as a stores.   The decline made worst by supermarkets being opened locally.

Empty   The premises lay empty for three years.

1999.   Conveyance   The Stores was sold to Mr and Mrs Clive Houdghton as a technical music shop.   It was called Entertainment House.

Hickman Stores