Cedric Thwaite was the first owner of the Corner Shop. Cedric had been running a pawn business from his front room for ten years when he bought the new shop in for the bargain price of £35 in 1902. He quickly discovered that he was set apart from his neighbours because of his profession and his side job as lay preacher. He was a keen drinker but was excluded at the Rover's Return as his presence made people feel uncomfortable. He was removed from the preaching list when news of his drinking problem became public, and not - as the gossips claimed - because of his alleged affair with Gladys Arkwright.