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The Keith Berry Photo Archive - Old Birmingham Page 5
- Thread starter Morturn
- Start date
4. Electric Avenue Witton 1994
All of the houses on the left have since been demolished and replaced by the Junction Six industrial estate. At the planning stage, in an exhibition at Witton Community Centre, to pre-empt residents' opposition to their plans, the developers displayed artists' impressions of pleasant-looking low rise buildings and much mention was made of bringing new employment for the local population. In the event, however, the buildings are much larger warehouse units and I have yet to hear of any local person being employed there. Furthermore, the main road's right of way as seen here, was diverted into the estate, suggesting the possible storage of hazardous or toxic material.
Following several mugging attacks on its owner, the small grocery shop on the right corner closed down and it has since been converted back into a private dwelling.
All of the houses on the left have since been demolished and replaced by the Junction Six industrial estate. At the planning stage, in an exhibition at Witton Community Centre, to pre-empt residents' opposition to their plans, the developers displayed artists' impressions of pleasant-looking low rise buildings and much mention was made of bringing new employment for the local population. In the event, however, the buildings are much larger warehouse units and I have yet to hear of any local person being employed there. Furthermore, the main road's right of way as seen here, was diverted into the estate, suggesting the possible storage of hazardous or toxic material.
Following several mugging attacks on its owner, the small grocery shop on the right corner closed down and it has since been converted back into a private dwelling.
5. Imperial Metal Industries Witton.2003
One of the most enduring and stylish landmarks of Witton. As Kynoch's, this factory survived WWII while making munitions, luckily because my Mom worked there then as an cartridge inspector. Although this photograph was taken only in 2003, it is already historical, for although the Germans failed to destroy it in wartime, the German and American conglomerate owners of the present day IMI managed to reduce it all to rubble in 2004. The small building (Lodge) on the left housed the Witton branch of Lloyds Bank until 2000.
One of the most enduring and stylish landmarks of Witton. As Kynoch's, this factory survived WWII while making munitions, luckily because my Mom worked there then as an cartridge inspector. Although this photograph was taken only in 2003, it is already historical, for although the Germans failed to destroy it in wartime, the German and American conglomerate owners of the present day IMI managed to reduce it all to rubble in 2004. The small building (Lodge) on the left housed the Witton branch of Lloyds Bank until 2000.
6. Lloyds Bank, Witton.2000
This was the interior of the bank just before it closed, leaving Witton's shoppers and businesses without local banking facilities, the TSB having closed some time before. A Lloyds Bank poster claimed that the branch had "moved" to Erdington, specifying a branch that was already in existence!
This was the interior of the bank just before it closed, leaving Witton's shoppers and businesses without local banking facilities, the TSB having closed some time before. A Lloyds Bank poster claimed that the branch had "moved" to Erdington, specifying a branch that was already in existence!
7. IMI demolition
Many buildings of the IMI estate were demolished a couple of decades ago to make room for the Holford Estate, more visually attractive than the usual industrial estate. More were cleared recently for something called "The Hub," which has not yet, as far as I have noticed, emerged from the rubble. This was taken from Holford Road across the long disused, flooded, car park.
Many buildings of the IMI estate were demolished a couple of decades ago to make room for the Holford Estate, more visually attractive than the usual industrial estate. More were cleared recently for something called "The Hub," which has not yet, as far as I have noticed, emerged from the rubble. This was taken from Holford Road across the long disused, flooded, car park.
8. Witton Road
Witton Road shops near the Trinity Road traffic lights. The buildings still exist but all of the businesses have changed. Around 1948-1950 the
leftmost shop of this group was Mr Hill'snewsagents shop where I used to go to collect my reserved copy of the "Eagle" every week. I can still
remember the wonderful smell of the papers and magazines of those days in there. The next one was Lizzie's, where we bought "KayLi"
(sherbert), liquorice root, and later, Woodbines in fives or even singles.
The wallpaper shop at the junction of Norris Road. All of these have now gone and have been replaced by housing.
Witton Road shops near the Trinity Road traffic lights. The buildings still exist but all of the businesses have changed. Around 1948-1950 the
leftmost shop of this group was Mr Hill'snewsagents shop where I used to go to collect my reserved copy of the "Eagle" every week. I can still
remember the wonderful smell of the papers and magazines of those days in there. The next one was Lizzie's, where we bought "KayLi"
(sherbert), liquorice root, and later, Woodbines in fives or even singles.
The wallpaper shop at the junction of Norris Road. All of these have now gone and have been replaced by housing.
14. The Witton Co-Op.
The Birmingham Co-Operative store in Aston Lane near its junction with Witton Road. It closed as it was claimed to be uneconomical but was
replaced by another supermarket which appears to thrive to this day. The shops visible in the background have all been replaced by dwellings.
Update 15 May 2008: The Co-Op's claim that the site is uneconomical for a supermarket is further challenged by the opening of a Tesco Superstore
just a few yards past here on the right. The road has been widened in front of the store, doubtless paid for by Tesco in exchange for planning permission. We just have to hope that the nearby traffic island will be unaffected. They had a cleared site on which to build from new, so why
does their particularly ugly new superstore look like a converted cinema?
The Birmingham Co-Operative store in Aston Lane near its junction with Witton Road. It closed as it was claimed to be uneconomical but was
replaced by another supermarket which appears to thrive to this day. The shops visible in the background have all been replaced by dwellings.
Update 15 May 2008: The Co-Op's claim that the site is uneconomical for a supermarket is further challenged by the opening of a Tesco Superstore
just a few yards past here on the right. The road has been widened in front of the store, doubtless paid for by Tesco in exchange for planning permission. We just have to hope that the nearby traffic island will be unaffected. They had a cleared site on which to build from new, so why
does their particularly ugly new superstore look like a converted cinema?
15. Witton Square businesses.
These businesses were in Witton Lane at Witton Square. Just out of the picture to the right is the Tram Shed. There was a Birmingham Municipal
Bank branch there for as long as I can remember, later renamed the TSB (Trustee Savings Bank), but there are no retail shops or TSB there now.
Summer 1986.
These businesses were in Witton Lane at Witton Square. Just out of the picture to the right is the Tram Shed. There was a Birmingham Municipal
Bank branch there for as long as I can remember, later renamed the TSB (Trustee Savings Bank), but there are no retail shops or TSB there now.
Summer 1986.
19. Mansfield Road. May 1979
The junction of Mansfield Road and Witton Road. The Guild public house is visible at extreme right and the tower of the Catholic church is beyond
it. The right hand side of Witton Road hasn't changed much but all of the buildings on the left have been swept away and replaced by modern
housing.
The junction of Mansfield Road and Witton Road. The Guild public house is visible at extreme right and the tower of the Catholic church is beyond
it. The right hand side of Witton Road hasn't changed much but all of the buildings on the left have been swept away and replaced by modern
housing.
20. Mansfield Road Aston
undergoing demolition. There are new houses there today.
at its junction with Albert Road. Urban Renewal saved these buildings but the couple of shops have reverted to houses. As a child, I once bought a bag of marbles from one of them.
Thanks Gerry. All this has been replaced by modern housing.
undergoing demolition. There are new houses there today.
at its junction with Albert Road. Urban Renewal saved these buildings but the couple of shops have reverted to houses. As a child, I once bought a bag of marbles from one of them.
Thanks Gerry. All this has been replaced by modern housing.
26. Witton Road grocers
Witton Road between the junctions of Lodge Road and Mansfield Road. The second shop down used to be Claremont Bakery and my grandmother, an avid breadmaker, used to prevail upon them to sell her some yeast. These shops have all been since replaced by bland modern housing.
Witton Road between the junctions of Lodge Road and Mansfield Road. The second shop down used to be Claremont Bakery and my grandmother, an avid breadmaker, used to prevail upon them to sell her some yeast. These shops have all been since replaced by bland modern housing.
28. Aston's former Asda
This was the Asda Supermarket in The Serpentine Grounds, where Pat Collins' Onion Fair used to be held up until the mid 1970s. This shop closed when the Asda store was opened at One-Stop, Perry Barr. The site seems now only to be used once a fortnight in the winter months as a spectators' car park for nearby Aston Villa soccer club
This was the Asda Supermarket in The Serpentine Grounds, where Pat Collins' Onion Fair used to be held up until the mid 1970s. This shop closed when the Asda store was opened at One-Stop, Perry Barr. The site seems now only to be used once a fortnight in the winter months as a spectators' car park for nearby Aston Villa soccer club
29. Bevington Road Aston
All of the houses on this road were demolished a couple of decades ago. The Council was in a great hurry to move everyone out and flatten the houses, but the grassed over area that was left had yet to be built upon when last I looked in 2008.
Two photos of the backs of the houses in Bevington Road just before demolition.
All of the houses on this road were demolished a couple of decades ago. The Council was in a great hurry to move everyone out and flatten the houses, but the grassed over area that was left had yet to be built upon when last I looked in 2008.
Two photos of the backs of the houses in Bevington Road just before demolition.
31. Holte Road Aston. 1978
These houses are diagonally opposite Villa Park at the Holte end. Aston Park (the grounds of Aston Hall) is visible in the distance.
32. The Holte Hotel Aston.1970s Witton Lane. Off the picture, left, is Aston Villa F.C's ground, Villa Park
These houses are diagonally opposite Villa Park at the Holte end. Aston Park (the grounds of Aston Hall) is visible in the distance.
32. The Holte Hotel Aston.1970s Witton Lane. Off the picture, left, is Aston Villa F.C's ground, Villa Park
38. Manor Road Witton
The back of houses in Manor Road, Witton, photographed from the ramp to the railway station. The structure in the foreground is an Anderson shelter, an air raid shelter from WWII. These houses have since been demolished to make room for a car park.
The back of houses in Manor Road, Witton, photographed from the ramp to the railway station. The structure in the foreground is an Anderson shelter, an air raid shelter from WWII. These houses have since been demolished to make room for a car park.