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Birchfield rd shops Perry Barr
- Thread starter BrummieJayne
- Start date
Dear nickcc101, Yes Dodds well known. The strongest memory that I have of that shop was the large trap door in the middle of the shop floor which was down to the cellar which I assume was their store room. As far as I recall they did not take too much care about screening the open trap door to stop customers dropping in. It just fascinated me as a small child. Funny how these memories remain. Regards, willey
When I was starting out on what would become a lifelong interest in aeromodelling, I went into Dodds one Saturday for a pair of needlenose pliers. I found a pair, and the guy serving asked me what i wanted them for - I was only 14 or so. I told him for model aircraft work, wire-bending and so forth. He said the pair I'd selected were rubbish, and advised me never to spend my money on either cheap tools or cheap women, something I've remembered all my life! I went back the next week with a few more bob and bought a quality pair, which I still have 50 years later.
Big Gee
Big Gee
Claribel, You are correct. "Roys Royal Bakery" was indeed an actual bakery of many years standing. As a lad I used to watch the men working. They would be smothered in flour from head to foot. I was also attracted to the horses that pulled the carts. Obviously the bakery served the immediate localiity but being a small unit, it failed to compete with the large bakeries such as "Scribbans" etc. Nostalgic memories! Regards. willey
A Sparks
master brummie
I had forgotten about the trap door!
No worries about the strict (and often silly) Heath and Safety Regs they have today, everyone had to look out for themselves.
Love all the Dodds stories - I used to go in there with my Dad - all the tools etc used to fascinate me.
m.humphreys
master brummie
Frank Moss eventually left and opened up a newsagents on the quay in Looe.He used to be in the shop in the morning and early evening and his wife did afternoons whilst Frank was golfing at Looe Bin Down golf course.
TOPSYTURVEY
brum
View attachment 70702 Came back from shopping and moaning about the queue in The Fruit Shop. Then i thought of these folk....
TOPSYTURVEY
brum
Has the queue gone down yet jean 
Lexybird
Brummie babby
I'm wondering if anyone remembers the name of the shops at the end of Wellington Rd which border onto Birchfield Rd? They were probably built around the time of the flyover. The post office is still there but I remember a baker's shop/cafe next door to the post office. I think there may have been a Dillons too. Thanks.
A Sparks
master brummie
Yes, I remember the shops, I think you are right about the ones you mention but I can't remember any more of the names.
I have an idea there was an off licence there too.
There were also shops in the Victorian block of buildings before the road was widened for the underpass. One of which was a butchers - I remember that as the father of a girl in my class at primary school worked there.
I have an idea there was an off licence there too.
There were also shops in the Victorian block of buildings before the road was widened for the underpass. One of which was a butchers - I remember that as the father of a girl in my class at primary school worked there.
Lexybird
Brummie babby
The off licence is still there. I keep thinking of Underwoods but maybe that was further up Wellington Rd/Westminster Rd? I would have loved to have been around to see that Victorian block. The area looked so pretty in the photos...
Now you've reminded me of the butchers there was a Rowleys butcher shop there, the type with sawdust on the floor and I think a tv rental shop next to that. The 'bookies' is still around the corner, however the other newsagent closed years ago. I used to go there to buy my Enid Blyton books! Thanks for jogging my memory!
Now you've reminded me of the butchers there was a Rowleys butcher shop there, the type with sawdust on the floor and I think a tv rental shop next to that. The 'bookies' is still around the corner, however the other newsagent closed years ago. I used to go there to buy my Enid Blyton books! Thanks for jogging my memory!
Keith Mallett
New Member
My grandfather had something to do with that bakery. I remember a photo of a horse pulled bread van outside Aston Hall. I recall also going to the bakery on Aston Lane and seeing the stables.
Keith Mallett
New Member
Shady Lane, not Sady Lane.
Keith Mallett
New Member
Bayswater Road, off Earlsbury Gardens at the top end and Canterbury Road at the bottom end!
adap2it
master brummie
The reason I asked is that there was a Mallett family living close to me on Paddington St.
Dave A
Mark Tooze
master brummie
If you have a search on the Birmingham Libraries website, there are dozens of photos of the Perry Barr / Birchfield Road area, taken before, during and after the construction of the underpass and flyover.
I have stitched together a few of them dating from 1959 to make 2 panoramas of the Birchfield Road shops before demolition - the first is northbound before Aston Lane / Wellington Road junction:-
The second is after the junction - the original Perry Barr railway station and site of (what is now) One Stop shopping centre is on the right:-
I have stitched together a few of them dating from 1959 to make 2 panoramas of the Birchfield Road shops before demolition - the first is northbound before Aston Lane / Wellington Road junction:-
The second is after the junction - the original Perry Barr railway station and site of (what is now) One Stop shopping centre is on the right:-
Chunky AC
master brummie
In the 1950’s the shop you list as Weston Chemists, was called W H Wilkins, it did not become Weston’s until mid late 1960’s.
I worked for Weston Chemist for a while. In Brownhills, Erdington Halesowen, The Bullring. Before moving to Northampton and finally to Sheffield. Weston’s were taken over by the Dixon’s group and eventually wound up. Regards AC.
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