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Soho Road Handsworth

Sam65 said:
My nana had a newsagents 178 Soho Rd Handsworth. Helen Dorrington was her name. Busy shop - first place in Handsworth to sell ice lollies raspberry split - nana worked in the shop til she was over 75
Mrs Buck was a customer bought snuff every week.
Nana had 2 diligent shop assistants, Margaret auburn curly hair and Edith her sister. Lease expired in early 60’s so they left. My grandad was goalie for Birmingham City around 1900 Jack Dorrington on wiki.
Shops around there were Bains cake shop, Tibbets fishmonger-granddad kept Holte Hotel whe he retired
Anyone have memories passed down about the shop or the area?
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Vivienne14 said:
This row of shops in the 1960s is still recognisable today. It’s opposite the Red Lion and near the junction with Boulton Road ( the houses just in view on Boulton Road have gone). The glimpse of the Little Red Shop looks like a hardware shop. Not sure what Alan’s was on the corner (linen, curtains, fabrics perhaps ?) but it seems popular. Doubtless some will remember the sweet shop next door. Viv.

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Yes, Alan's sold linen and curtain fabric/nets. My Mum often browsed there, but found it more economical to buy at the stall at the far end of the market. This has reminded me of how she would unroll a small bale of material and then measure out the yardage by the distance between her nose and the tip of her fingers - exactly 1 yard!
 
Penns said:
Anyone know if a record shop possibly called The Record Shop, in or around Soho Road run by Kathleen and Peter Deeley ?
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From Soho road, go down the hill of Rookery road, on the right hand side there was 'The Record Shop' at 112 Rookery Road, I went between 1962 - 64, and bought two 45rpm records. Shop was run by P.O. Deeley.
Below from Kelly's 1967-68.

record shop.jpg
 
Hi guys, I've lost the original thread for this image of Soho Road. Please could you remind me of it? Many thanks
 

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Vivienne14 said:
I think this image shows the view along Soho Road, looking towards the Red Lion pub on the left (note tower in the distance). If so, many of the buildings to the left were replaced around 1920s/30s. If the modern view is the same spot (corner of Alfred Road) a large Co-op building replaced those on the left in the old image. Viv.
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Vivienne14 I think that possibly the new view here is incorrect (Not corner of Alfred Road), and should be Linwood Road on the left almost opposite Cross Guns pub, see new pic here

linwood rd2.jpg
 
Fearny said:
Hi there
My dad was a bus driver late fifties and I think he worked at Hockley garage. If I sent a photo would you be able to ask your dad if he recognises him please?
thanks Carol
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Hi, sorry this is a late reply. Unfortunately my dad passed away 2017.
 
Vivienne14 said:
Alan you've jogged my memory there. I worked at the DHSS offices on Soho Road for a short while in about 1974. I was there about 6 months I think. The offices were modern, low level (2 storey). There was a garage/shop at one end at ground level. It was almost opposite the Labour Exchange building.

By that time Soho Road was a fairly risky place to hang out. Us DHSS staff were warned not to go out alone along the road but to always go with someone else. Such a great pity as it's clear from old photos what a lovely neighbourhood it had once been. Consequently I never really got to know Soho Road despite having worked there. It was a matter of off the bus, into the office, then back on the bus home. No hanging around. Viv.
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I worked there from 1975 to 78. There was a pub opposite the office we all used to go to but I can't recall the name?
 
the pub was on the corner with ivy road but i have also forgotten the name of it...
 
Jetlag001 said:
I worked there from 1975 to 78. There was a pub opposite the office we all used to go to but I can't recall the name?
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I also worked at the DHSS on Soho Road for a couple of years, early 80s I think.
Looking at Google maps I think it must have been this place but I can't remember the original name....
Screenshot_20240708_093024_Maps.jpg
 
Vivienne14 said:
Burton’s the Tailors shop on Soho Road has lost its name on top of the building and has suffered a very poor window treatment in one window recess. Maybe some original signage has been presernved under the ‘Noor’ sign. Also wonder if any of the marble plaques placed at most Burton’s shops have survived at ground level. Be worth a look if anyone is passing, they’ll have named members of the Burton family engraved on them. Very little of the original ground level seems to be there after modern window replacement. Viv..
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shops to the left of burtons suffered bomb damage. could explain why they lost it name at the top of the building


soho road after bombing.jpgsoho road.jpg
 
agree viv...looks pretty extensive damage to me and yes the burton sign could have become unstable

lyn
 
RobT said:
Vivienne14 I think that possibly the new view here is incorrect (Not corner of Alfred Road), and should be Linwood Road on the left almost opposite Cross Guns pub, see new pic here

View attachment 183893
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Astoness said:
looks like there was some nice buildings next to the pub viv...no longer there of course

lyn
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Mottershead & Smith, main Ford dealers workshop and parts section were next door and on the other corner of Whitehall Road were the Ford vehicles showrooms. Hadley Brothers, a small domestic electrical retailers, their HQ building was opposite.
 
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