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Used to live quite near there. I think it was close to a house that was at one time a wool shop, and at another time an off-license.

The Food Hall was really something, better than Rackhams, I think.

I happened to see this book available from the National Archives: https://shop.nationalarchives.gov.uk/collections/20th-century-books/products/peaky-blinders-cocktail-book-40-cocktails-selected-by-the-shelby-company-ltd

The hairstyle is a bit Mary Quant. I had a long pale blue flounced cheesecloth skirt from there, which I wore a lot.

I think it was near one of the coffee bars, as well. I still remember a range of shoes they had, flat Mary-Jane style in very soft leather and colours like pale blue...why didn't I buy a pair?

They were ahead of their time with a juice bar. There was what was called a soda fountain (1970s?), where you could get a cup of coffee and, presumably milk shakes and suchlike. It was up the stairs from the entrance opposite the churchyard, I think.

In the 1970s, you were always in danger of being stopped by a girl on a make up counter volunteering to do your face, then sell you products! (Happened to me once, so that's a generalisation).

A Varsity shop...and the model room! I don't remember the Gay Tray either.

I also like jazz shoes and tap shoes, Viv! Didn't know Crocs did sandals - I must have a look.

SmethwickGirl, I'm imagining your pink shoes like this. I'd have loved a pair of these Greek dance sandals!

Sizing isn't always standard between brands. Would it be something to do with 'continental sizes,' where it goes a bit odd around ladies' size 6? (A bit vague, sorry!)

Royal blue knee high socks in my case!

I had a sudden craving for butterscotch gums...apparently they re no longer made.

Yes, dead flat shoes like ballet flats aren't good at all.

I didn't know the hairdressers' was called Madge's! That's great to know, thank you. I've looked at a street plan, but can't place where the smart girl got off the bus. Really I was just thinking aloud, but in a way I would like to know what she did there. It's one of those very vague memories...

Rackhams had good Toy Fairs (or is it Fayres?) I used to like the coffee shop on the second floor, and the Food Hall, also the perfume department. It's mentioned in an early episode of Peaky Blinders, when Tommy talks about buying champagne from there - and possibly having it delivered.

I used to like Troach Drops, and Olde English Spangles.

The first part of this was last week and was very good https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on/online-lecture-series-love-betrayal-poison-and-death-part-2

My mother lived in Gordon Street with her parents, and it was one of the houses that was bombed. I don't know which number, and she isn't here now. Had a friend who lived in one of the maisonettes in the 60s.

Not actually of Birmingham, but he spent time in Winson Green Prison as a Conscientious Objector during the Second World War. I was leafing through an anthology called 'Don't You Know There's A War On' by Jonathan Croall and found a chapter written by his wife Olive. It sounds pretty awful, but...