AVERY SCALES HISTORY

[Vivienne14]

I think the 1954 postcard is from a worker ‘Marion’ to her co-workers, Its addressed ‘SUC’ (was this an office/admin part of Avery’s ?). It was posted in Dunoon, Argyll where Marion seems to have visited the Isle of Bute for a summer (July) holiday/visit. I think the image on the postcard might be of a church building. Hard to tell.

It reminds me of days when you were always asked to send a postcard from holidays to your colleagues at work. Used to have a wall of them in most offices.

The ‘return packages’ paperwork and the ‘printed paperwork’ labels found under the floorboards suggest to me the room would probably have been used for admin/postal activities for Avery’s works. ‘Printed paper’ labels are usually labels you’d attach to envelopes containing documents or magazines/newspapers. Viv.

 

[Seanyb1986]

At least we can be sure the address was 138 digbeth

 

[Seanyb1986]

Very interesting the trip that postcard went on from bute to here

 

[Astoness]

At least we can be sure the address was 138 digbeth

exactly what i thought sean

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

Sean is this the frontage that’s being saved ? Just want to check I’ve got the right place. Viv.

 

[Seanyb1986]

That is the frontage yes viv, dont ask me why its being saved, but it is, so its making everything very awkward in terms of demolition, so the whole of that rather large premises is where i will be digging soon looking for treasures

 

[Seanyb1986]

I'd love to find out when that frontage was built, older pictures

 

[Tinpot]

Sean is this the frontage that’s being saved ? Just want to check I’ve got the right place. Viv.

This is a Planning diagram of the area. The facade looks Art Deco so I think that is why it is being preserved.

 

[mikejee]

Not particularly a fan of art nouveau, at least partly because it was often buil of concrete that did not last very well. Looks nothing special to me

 

[A Sparks]

This is a Planning diagram of the area. The facade looks Art Deco so I think that is why it is being preserved.

Interesting, it's not a particularly special example of Art Deco is it?

 

[Vivienne14]

Looking at newspaper snippets this is what I’ve found about #138 Digbeth:

1864 - James Seeley, draper, hosier and haberdasher
1878 - chemists, hairdressers and perfumers supplier
1885 - razor supplier
1891 - “European depot” for razor supplies
1924 - Arthur Pedley selling lease on property . Business was selling china, toys, drapery and as general merchant
1947 - W & T Avery advertising for office staff
1971 - Avery’s still at this address
1987 (12 Oct) - Birmingham Voluntary Service Council moved in

Some newspaper clips attached. I get the impression in its earlier history (pre- current building) it functioned as a some sort of warehouse, mainly supplying others. The 1880s Fire Insurance map (posted previously by Sean and Pedro) in post #14 shows it as a very large building occupied by “Barbers Sundries”. Must have been supplying a lot of sundries to fill the building.

I can’t yet find the date Avery’s took it over, but obviously some time between 1920s and 1940s.

Viv.

 

[mikejee]

I'd love to find out when that frontage was built, older pictures

Here are three photos

 

[Vivienne14]

Do you know the date of the last photo Mike please ? Viv.

 

[Astoness]

if it is art deco i dont see any of the usual features in fact the building looks quite plain.. however the brickwork does looks late 30s to 40s ..when you look at buildings like the one below it has clear art deco features and the drainpipe is dated 1922...mind you i am far from an expert

Soho Hill Muslim Birmingham Educational & Welfare Centre · 136, 150 Soho Hill, Birmingham B19 1AF

âââââ · Religious institution

www.google.com

 

[Vivienne14]

It looks deco to me with its long set of windows on the right-hand side reaching down the building and the window panes across the whole building. Part of the original street level doorway and display window is still in place too. Probably not one of the most attractive buildings, but maybe that was because it was built as a functional building eg warehousing, storage ? On that score I can see why it would be preserved. Speculating here.

Viv

 

[Vivienne14]

In 1924 when Pedley sold the lease it was advertised as a “desirable premises”. Somehow, I think it’s unlikely to be referring to an old building typical of Digbeth at that time. So I’m guessing the advert refers to the new building ie built before 1924. Just a thought. Viv.

 

[mw0njm.]

Soho Hill Muslim Birmingham

FLEMISH GARDEN WALL BOND
Three stretchers to one header in each row.Most commonly found in West Sussex and Hampshire
Its first use in England was in 1631, but it only really gained popularity in the late eighteenth century. It then became the dominant brickwork for housing for over a century.

Bricks

Description of various brick types and bonding arrangements

www.howoldismyhouse.com

 

[Vivienne14]

Phyllis Nicklin captured this in 1968. Be nice to discover the other part of the street level frontage under that aluminium shutter in the modern Streetview. It gives the building a bit more character. Viv.

 

[Tinpot]

It looks deco to me with its long set of windows on the right - hand side reaching down the building and the window panes across the whole building. Part of the original street level doorway and display window is still in place too. Probably not one of the most attractive buildings, but maybe that was because it was built as a functional building eg warehousing, storage ? On that score I can see why it would be preserved. Speculating here.

Viv

It seems to fit with the preservation of other factory buildings in the area eg Typhoo. I have been looking at some references to an architect called Weedon who was born in Birmingham and designed the tea factory as well as some Odeon cinemas.

 

[mikejee]

Do you know the date of the last photo Mike please ? Viv.

Viv. If you hover over it it says 1963

 

[Seanyb1986]

This is a Planning diagram of the area. The facade looks Art Deco so I think that is why it is being preserved.

We will eventually be demolishing plots 136 and 137 also, im not sure about any frontages being saved on these yet, we will be digging down to remove any obstructions, so those buildings that are obviously much older are of interest too, i personally cant wait

 

[Astoness]

We will eventually be demolishing plots 136 and 137 also, im not sure about any frontages being saved on these yet, we will be digging down to remove any obstructions, so those buildings that are obviously much older are of interest too, i personally cant wait

i agree sean...i think the further down you can dig the more chances of finding something even older

could anyone supply a map please showing plots 136 and 137

thanks

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

From post #14 previously posted by Sean and Pedro. Viv.

 

[Astoness]

thanks viv

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

Hopefully the Makepeace building won’t be demolished at #136. At the very least the frontage should be preserved - in my opinion. Viv.

 

[mikejee]

Certainly preserved if the Avery building (frontage ) is.

 

[Astoness]

found this planning application dated 2015

Online Standard Details

 

[Seanyb1986]

As of now there still isnt a decision on how much of plots/shops 135/136/137 will be saved, these buildings look very old to me, and hopefully i'll be the one that digs them, the building space will definetly be dug up only the frontages will be saved if anything, every meter is valuable with the new multi storey buildings going up here

 

[Vivienne14]

We have discussed the early stages of this development of the Beorma Quarter in several other threads over recent years. EllBrown took this photo which shows the rear of Avery’s nearly 5 years ago. He posted this aerial view as part of the discussion about the old music hall which was demolished on Park Street.

The original (deco) Avery’s building must have been just the higher level building looking at this photo with the lower level rear buildings being later additions. I notice the rear windows of the Avery building are the same as those of the front elevation.

For the record, I have also found an old photo of one other Birmingham Avery building which I think must have been #11 and #12 Digbeth. We discussed this location earlier on this thread. Perhaps Avery’s moved from #11/12 to the bigger, modern #138 across the road ? Do we know when #11/12 was vacated by Avery’s ?

Viv

 

[Seanyb1986]

The thick walls which i believe was the old music hall were removed today, i was unable to photograph but they would tie in with the thick black line on this map