I'd bet money on the possibility that the group of three children in the centre by the scooter are discussing sweets, ice cream or children's magazines. The reason I say that is because Kirton's newspaper and sweet shop was to the left of that picture. Stood there myself many, many times discussing which 2 oz of sweets I was going to buy from Kirton's; usually it was milk bottles or prawns and my friend used to buy pear drops or pineapple chunks. I spent a lot of time hanging around there because my mum worked at Bywater's, also to the left. I always used to pop into Bywaters on my way home from school. Kirton's must have been a little gold one, as I can't remember where the nearest sweet shop was. The only one I can think of is Woolworth's across the road on Hawthorn Road. All that time ago, and after all those visits to Kirton's I didn't realise until a few months ago (via this forum) that Mr Kirton's was an ex-Villa player. You live and learn.
Looked at this photo many times and the suitcase is intriguing with its labels and tag. Must have belonged to someone (looks like a man in an anorak) arriving or going off somewhere. I think Kirton's might have been coach trip agents ( that's possibly an ad for a coach company on the advertising board) so that could be the reason (maybe a pick-up/dropping off point?). Also just noticed the cigarette or sweet machine on the end of the advertising board, side of the machine is facing us ( think it might say 'Nestle' along its length). So there was always something available when Kirton's was closed on a Sunday.
Viv.