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Kardomah New Street and Colmore Row

Sounds like very good times indeed Dion. I always think the sixties was a bit of a special time, the music, clothes etc.
Yes lmr I thank my lucky stars that I was born at the right time to experience the 60's , such an inspirational time, a time of change , achievement , plus laying the roots for future ambitions
 
I don't know if or how this applies to our discussion, but on searching for a description of an "arcade entrance" its features could be:

... a deep entrance to a shop/building, popular in the 1920s/30s featuring a series of arches, columns, or piers to create a covered or recessed entryway. They can be complex in shape and often include elements like a showcase island and decorative detailing. A stylistic feature to create a dramatic, covered, and protected entranceway for pedestrians.

Key features
A series of arches supported by columns or piers.
Deep and recessed. Entrance set back from the main building line, often with a complex, zig-zag, or in-and-out shape.
 Entrances often with elaborate planning, showcases, and ornamental details
A popular style for retail stores eg drapers, shoe retailers but fell out of favor after the mid-20th century with building fronts becoming valuable retail space.
 
This was how that stretch between Cannon Street and Needless Alley looked as per Mike's insurance map post #215 and before rebuilding in the 1900s.

The central section of the premises (below the pediment) seems to have had access right through to the building (mantle showroom) on Needless Alley. And Holroyds has access right back through the attached buildings along Cannon Street (ie the Woollen Warehouse).
Screenshot_20251023_233103_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
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What was this structure on the old insurance map ? Could it be where the later staircase (in the rebuilt #42/42A) might have been ? Was it for access to other storeys ?

Re the replacement building, was this when number #42A came about ? And why ?
Screenshot_20251027_075515_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
This was how that stretch between Cannon Street and Needless Alley looked as per Mike's insurance map post #215 and before rebuilding in the 1900s.

The central section of the premises (below the pediment) seems to have had access right through to the building (mantle showroom) on Needless Alley. And Holroyds has access right back through the attached buildings along Cannon Street (ie the Woollen Warehouse).
View attachment 212239
Beautiful architecture, how many times did I walk past and take for granted!
 
Re Mike's insurance map in post #215, I have more questions:
Are the blue marked structures a covered walkway/atrium/covered passageway?
Does the 'Old and continuous roofing' refer to this passageway?
Did all or most of this passageway remain after redevelopment of #42/#42A New Street in c1900s?
Did the Newton Chambers entrance on Cannon Street link to this passageway ? It looks to me like the Newton Chambers entrance might have been built through the spot marked "Woollen Warehouse" on the insurance map. And would this adjustment have given access/join up with the old passageway? In its turn, would it also give access to the rear of #42/42A ?

Just pondering.
 
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found I cazn add something more, though not sure it is much herlp. ther eis a site which sells some Goad maps (£39), but who show a reduced version online (https://www.goadoldstreetmaps.com/). Mixed years, but does have one described as "Resurveyed , reissued december 1952". iI have managed to sharpen a little


ScreenHunter 1746.jpg
 
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