• 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
  • HI folks the server that hosts the site completely died including the Hdd's and backups.
    Luckily i create an offsite backup once a week! this has now been restored so we have lost a few days posts.
    im still fixing things at the moment so bear with me and im still working on all images 90% are fine the others im working on now
    we are now using a backup solution

Burton Shops

Frothblower

Frothblower

Lubrication In Moderation
Not sure whether this has been shown before ( maybe I have?) The old Burton shop in Erdington high street
 

Attachments

  • burton2.PNG
    burton2.PNG
    337.1 KB · Views: 14
  • burton.PNG
    burton.PNG
    346.6 KB · Views: 11
The shops had a number of standard features (from Wiipedia): "....... wide polished black granite band above the shop windows for signage, metal vent grates bearing the company logo, billiard halls on the upper levels, window lights showing the locations of other Burton stores, and mosaic titles - sometimes including the company logo - in the doorways".

"At ground level, foundation stones were often placed by Montague Burton's four children, Barbara, Stanley, Arnold and Raymond. Each store might have one or several foundation stones, each bearing one name and the year".

I noticed the edge of the Burton building in the Bull Ring (once stood next to the Times Furnishing building) in this photo posted by Stitcher on the Bull Ring 1930s to 1950s thread. The building shows several features of those mentioned in the quote. But sadly the building has gone.
image.jpeg

I've seen Burton buildings with the plaques mentioned in the quote but not in Birmingham. They're about 12" square at street level. The one I saw had four stones on one building. So keep those eyes peeled ! Viv.
 
Burton's bull ring building to the right of Times Furnishing. Sorry, no date. Viv.

image.jpeg
 
There are some of these small plagues at bottom of the store in Erdington High street. I will go and take some photos tomorrow.
 
That'd be great Froth. Be interesting to see which Burton family members they name. Thanks. Viv.
 
There is a Burtons in Acocks Green village and when I was about twelve {65 years ago} I used to use the snooker hall upstairs.
 
If you are going to Erdington tomorrow, I suggest you take some precautions, particularly face masks Frothblower. :D
 
Blimey Froth they're like tombstones ! The ones I've seen are much smaller.

Raymond and Arnold were sons of the founder (Montague) and were twins, b.1917, so they were 20 when the stones were laid.

Is the Erdington building protected ? Viv.
 
No idea about the building being protected?
Their sizes I guess are about 15" x 9" ?
That would make them centenarians.
 
A classic Burton shop survives today on Stratford Road. And still has a snooker hall above - not sure if it's still in use. Images courtesy Google Streetview. Viv.

image.jpeg image.jpeg
 
froth i must have walked past the burton plaques in erdington...did you take a long shot of the shop
 
Stitcher said:
There is a Burtons in Acocks Green village and when I was about twelve {65 years ago} I used to use the snooker hall upstairs.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip off Stitcher. Here it is. Looks like it needs some TLC. Upstairs now seems to be used as a martial arts studio. But there's a Burton's shop at ground level. When the buildings were originally built, the shop must have been substantial in size at street level. And did the upper floor have very high ceilings ? Viv..

image.jpeg
 
Lyn
To modify an old expression (well down south anyway): "When you've got to go (there), you've got to go (there)"
 
nice windows on that burton shop viv...wonder what it was before burtons..

lyn
 
Lyn
If you mean post 23 then I think it looks like one of the original buildings built for Burtons
 
As far as I can make out, all the Burton shops were purpose built in Deco style.

Interesting point in the first link Froth that Burton's produced a quarter of the uniforms for WW1. Must have put the business on a very strong footing, making it possible to build so many, and such large, shops in the 1920s/30s.

Also metions 'the full Monty'. Didn't know it was a suit created by Burton's ! Viv.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top