• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

OLD BIRMINGHAM PHOTOS FROM STEVEBHx

This shop is a real shame - 91 Bordesley Green 1974 again, but from a different era, still trying to hold on to its past glories and just about managing it. From the plaque on the wall this is Norton Place - I imagine it refers to the row of shops. Love the shop sign and the advert and clock on the front. While still hanging on it has become a Cash and carry alkthough there is still a Typhoo tea signs in the window.

View attachment 167359
I can remember going with my mother to shop for groceries at Crawford's. In particular the large tins of biscuits set at an angle in front of the counter holding different varieties of biscuits. Plus the box with broken biscuits!
 
I can remember going with my mother to shop for groceries at Crawford's. In particular the large tins of biscuits set at an angle in front of the counter holding different varieties of biscuits. Plus the box with broken biscuits!
Glad to bring some memories back Tinpot
 
Finally something different, Wire Wares (Birmingham) Limited which was on the corner of Kyotts Lake Road and Grafton Road, fine summers day, fine brick built factory with metal window frames and interestingly shaped frontage . Not many cars out front, as usual with the slides I have no year - thanks for looking and thanks for all the comments and addition street scene images that complete the pictures

View attachment 167360

Opened as Tram Depot repair and fitting shop in 1885. May have closed in August 1953, and in 1955 a proposal to use for fish traders for up to 10 years was not taken up. It was then proposed to take the lowest a tender to turn it into units to support small businesses.
 
Good evening
a few shops tonight first we have 69 Alcester Road Kings Heath from 1969, this is Safeway before we went decimal so if you want kipper for 1/8, you know where to go. Nice selection of cars from a different era Vauxhall Viva near left and a Ford Anglia far right.

View attachment 167355
I don't remember Safeway being here but this is the premises today
 

Attachments

  • 69 Alcester Road KH- 2021.JPG
    69 Alcester Road KH- 2021.JPG
    62 KB · Views: 12
Next is 71 Junction Road in 1974, small shop on the end of terrace - Keelings Groceries and cooked meats, innovative use of corrugated iron as fence paneling next door, one sash window at the front upstairs and an advert sign on the front fence. Ford Cortina estate is the only vehicle in sight. I also noticed the brick paving with the cross pattern on it.

View attachment 167356
Now just a house
 

Attachments

  • 71 Junction Rd -2022.JPG
    71 Junction Rd -2022.JPG
    56.7 KB · Views: 12
This photo intrigues me, nice row of houses front walls hedges, all with bay windows down stairs but one is a shop, no name but a corona litter bin by the front wall , advert space on the wall upstairs and goods in the window. Was it supposed to be a shop? Its seems to have had no adaptations to make it a shop as it is exactly the same as the other properties.

View attachment 167357
The 1956 and after Kellys lists 79 Woodland road Northfield as both Woodland Car services, taxi cab proprietors and as S & B Hughes , commercial artists
This seems likely as might not look like a shop. However Google shows 79 not looking like this. However 79 Woodland Road Handsworth is rather modernised, but is probably it. That was once a continental grocer
I think it has to be Handsworth as the houses don't look right in Northfield. 79 is the whitewalled house on the right but the house on the left of the entry has the right detail.
 

Attachments

  • 79 Woodland Road - 2022.JPG
    79 Woodland Road - 2022.JPG
    44.5 KB · Views: 6
We now move to 86 -88 Warwick Road in 1974 and so much to see that isn't around any more - the number of tobacco adverts, the newspaper adverts, the sun blinds ready for the summer and the neon sign which we can imagine as been red. Note also the pram - but this is 48 years ago !!. see also the brickwork under the eaves and the ridge tiles. Interesting that the property next door (left) has a sun screen also. To the right is a clothes shop with the height of fashion in the window.

View attachment 167358
Now houses. The house with the dark grey paintwork is 88. Warwick Road sign still on wall just vsible under the satellite dish.
 

Attachments

  • 86 -88 Warwick Road - 2022.JPG
    86 -88 Warwick Road - 2022.JPG
    61.5 KB · Views: 20
This shop is a real shame - 91 Bordesley Green 1974 again, but from a different era, still trying to hold on to its past glories and just about managing it. From the plaque on the wall this is Norton Place - I imagine it refers to the row of shops. Love the shop sign and the advert and clock on the front. While still hanging on it has become a Cash and carry alkthough there is still a Typhoo tea signs in the window.

View attachment 167359
Still has Norton Place sign.
 

Attachments

  • 91 Bordesley Green - 2022.JPG
    91 Bordesley Green - 2022.JPG
    75.8 KB · Views: 20
  • 91 Bordesley Green - sign.JPG
    91 Bordesley Green - sign.JPG
    11 KB · Views: 21
Opened as Tram Depot repair and fitting shop in 1885. May have closed in August 1953, and in 1955 a proposal to use for fish traders for up to 10 years was not taken up. It was then proposed to take the lowest a tender to turn it into units to support small businesses.
I went to school just by there 1951-56. I don't remember any regular trams in that time but single deck trams went along Stratford Rd. I assume on their way to the depot and I certainly recall the tracks to the depot being taken up by 1956. Vale Onslow motor bike shop was nearby.
 
Bit puzzled by this one as 152 was not a corner house.
View attachment 152877
However in this shot 50 Hatfield Road is the house on the left and I think all the houses on Birchfield Road, 144 to 152 and beyond went to allow the dual carriageway to be built. I also wonder if the house in view is 146 and the factory is that marked "Clothing factory" with a row of garages?? Any views?
View attachment 152878
I used to live at 44 Hatfield Rd. The buildings to the right of the bus stop are newish and presumably used to be the factory.
 
Opened as Tram Depot repair and fitting shop in 1885. May have closed in August 1953, and in 1955 a proposal to use for fish traders for up to 10 years was not taken up. It was then proposed to take the lowest a tender to turn it into units to support small businesses.
The trams ceased running on 4th. July 1953 but as most were broken up at Kyotts Lake Road. It was probably 1955 when this work was completed.
 
This is the Lucky Star Cafe, Victoria Street in 1974 - you wouldn't would you. It does look like they are working down the street demolishing as they go. Is that a garage and church out the back and also note the metal rubbish bins that weight as much empty as they would full. and the little Mini of course
The church was at the top of Prince Albert Street on the corner with Little Green Lane.
it became a cash and carry before it was demolished. The black and white building to the left of the church was a Sunday school/hall for activities to keep the kids occupied And off the streets.My family lived about 200 yards from the Sunday school down prince Albert Street.
 
This shop is a real shame - 91 Bordesley Green 1974 again, but from a different era, still trying to hold on to its past glories and just about managing it. From the plaque on the wall this is Norton Place - I imagine it refers to the row of shops. Love the shop sign and the advert and clock on the front. While still hanging on it has become a Cash and carry alkthough there is still a Typhoo tea signs in the window.

View attachment 167359
Opposite Crawford’s shop was this other attached picture of shops. On the left of Crawfords marked Restaurant, which was a previously A D Wimbush bakers shop. Also attached are the names and numbers for this area.
 

Attachments

  • C3BB1CA8-E16B-4C83-97DD-8A0233BB9122.jpeg
    C3BB1CA8-E16B-4C83-97DD-8A0233BB9122.jpeg
    233.3 KB · Views: 45
  • 6C6E84F7-8D50-4308-BB59-C30FBFD42A86.jpeg
    6C6E84F7-8D50-4308-BB59-C30FBFD42A86.jpeg
    351 KB · Views: 47
Evening all first up I am clearing out the last of the street scene pictures, there are nothing special although the city centre view are probably not there any more
First is 2077 to 2089 Coventry Road in 1975
2077 - 89 Coventry Road - 75.jpg

Next is Moat Lane Car Park in Digbeth 1981 with bit of snow
Moat Lane Car Park - 81.jpg

This is the back of the New Street Shopping Centre 1969, rubbish bin and belisha beacon.

New Street Shopping Centre - 69.jpg

and lastly Suffolk Street Ringway in 1969
Suffolk Ringway  - 69.jpg
 
Next up is a selection of walls, again scattered across the city from locations that area probably not recognizable any more. I have put the in one post as I am not sure of the interest but you can skip them easier !!

2- 4 Kings Road Hay Mills
2-4 Kings Road Hay Mills.jpg
24-26 Freeman Street 1971

24-26 Freeman Street- 71.jpg
28 - 38 Hazellwell Street 1971
28-38 Hazelwell Street - 71.jpg

and finally 70 Hazelwell Street in 1976

70 Hazelwell Street - 76.jpg
 
Back to the shops 94 Grove Lane Handsworth in1978, first a view above street level at the coping stones on the top of the roof the ornate eaves and the arched windows also the directions all the downpipe take to get to street level.
Next the shops, from the right a classic shop made for window shopping and pointing all the items you wanted and one of the bubble gum / toy machines which you put your penny in. Fish shop quite busy with the Pepsi sign and the edge of a newsagents / tobacconist which although only a part view has over 4 cigarette signs. Lastly the temporary bus stop, made from a split wheel rim I believe.

94 Grove Lane Hands - 78.jpg
 
This is 103 Soho Road 1975 - Terrys Restaurant offering private parties, and an ornate bay on the first floor. Corona litter bin and a beer crate outside and a Rover P5 (?) Elmes Newsagent with a projecting Embassy sign and an evening mail "A" frame and a Wallpaper shop with a timber department at the rear. Mini and Ford Escort in front and next to it is the London Insurance offices ( is that Royal) with the lettering on the windows, On the first floors are nice bays, with leaded windows and second floor with sash windows and ornate Lintels.

103 Soho Road - 75.jpg
 
Here we have 115 Wattville Road 1974, and a street scene that has everything, alleyways to the back of the houses, a pavement crossing to a factory entrance in the wall , who's main door has a little entrance door in it. Next is the local shop, Lyons Maid, Birds Eye and Green shield stamps amongst the adverts and then continue up the road with door window, window, door and a passageway, probably hasn't changed in years and a nice selection of cars too.

115 Wattville Rd -74.jpg
 
This is 103 Soho Road 1975 - Terrys Restaurant offering private parties, and an ornate bay on the first floor. Corona litter bin and a beer crate outside and a Rover P5 (?) Elmes Newsagent with a projecting Embassy sign and an evening mail "A" frame and a Wallpaper shop with a timber department at the rear. Mini and Ford Escort in front and next to it is the London Insurance offices ( is that Royal) with the lettering on the windows, On the first floors are nice bays, with leaded windows and second floor with sash windows and ornate Lintels.

View attachment 167925
I think this is the view now - the building frontages have been changed a bit.
Screenshot_20220226-200731_Maps.jpg
 
On a very wet day 1975 we have 128A Alcester Road Moseley, from the left is a Launderette, 5p to dry- really?, Church of Scientology down the side, next is a newsagent, with an awning and a nice little Walls ice-cream sign, closed down next to that is a shop or selection of little shops that seem to sell everything and finally on the right is part of the Village Store with its ornate shop sign. A variety of building styles and shop fronts.

128A Alcester Road Moseley - 75.jpg
 
Here we have a couple of distinctive shops, 134 - 136 Warwick Road from1974, did Sparkys have another shop?, I had seen adverts for them years ago and assumed it was a much larger building it doesn't look capable of holding Grand Pianos, next door is a tailors shop, seldom seen today. Everything above street level is ornate and the houses next door look very well kept

134 - 136 Warwick Road - 74.jpg
 
Last up tonight I will throw in a colour slide, now this is a long lost scene and one that fascinated me when I was young if we were visiting Bingley Hall and walked down Broad Street. This little antiques shop down a side street with its window crammed with items and things attached to the frontage. To locate it I believe that is the Brasshouse Building to the left of the shop, Church long gone of course and we dont see telephone boxes these days either.

Thanks for looking

Test275.jpg
 
Next up is a selection of walls, again scattered across the city from locations that area probably not recognizable any more. I have put the in one post as I am not sure of the interest but you can skip them easier !!

28 - 38 Hazellwell Street 1971
View attachment 167921
The buildings surrounding this site are all TASCO buildings. The wall to the right would be the side wall of the main TASCO store. The buildings at the back would be industrial buildings run by TASCOs. On the far side of the site on Ribblesdale Road was the TASCO Dairy, so the far buildings would be the dairy
 
Back
Top