Great photos of Darlington's shop then and now, Viv! We lived in The Broadway, just past Normandy Road, and my grandparents lived at 22 Bevington Road, next door to Beebee's shop. Darlington's was like a magnet for kids in the 40's and 50's - every month I'd go and see if there was a new Dinky Toy in the window, and later Airfix kits. When I knew the shop I think the Darlington family had long gone, but I can't remember the name of the people who took it over. They were all very patient with annoying kids, I do remember that. I think I mentioned this before, but during the hula-hoop craze in the 1950's I'd been to see my gran at 22 Bevington Road, and walking back home the shop's owner was making hula-hoops from a huge coil of plastic hose and lengths of dowel. He saw me looking, called me over, and got me to make some, as demand was very high. I got a couple of bob for that!
Opposite Darlington's on the corner with The Broadway was Hicks greengrocers - my mother thought he was expensive are rarely went there. On the other corner of Bevington and Witton Roads, out of shot in the modern photo, was a TV and Radio shop owned by a former Villa player -I can remember only his first name, which was Lesley. Can anyone remind me of his surname? He used to post the names in the window of people who owed him money!
Happy days....I think.
G