• 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

Bradford street

Hello again, it's been a while..

I was wondering whether anyone had a full map of Bradford Street. I'm interested, firstly in where 111 Bradford Street was but also, what factories were on the street. I've just learned today of Henry Bradford who offered the land there to anyone willing to trade. That's an amazing offer, so I was wondering which companies took him up on the offer. Also, presumably (or not) the Back to backs on this street were offered to the labourers first? Were back to backs rented? Or part of the package? It's really difficult to find information on this part of Deritend, particularly from the Victorian/late 19th century era.
If anyone has any information on the buildings, businesses, housing, I'd be grateful.

Thanks in advance
 
Below is a map showing where no 111 Bradford St was in c1950. Afraid left hand side not so clear, but it shows 111. Also a map c mid 1880s of Bradford st, on which I have marked 111 then in red

map c 1889 showing Bradford st.jpgmap c1950 showing 111 bradford st.jpg
 
Hi Mike,
Always so quick to reply! :D That's perfect, thank you so much! I've scrolled through soooo many photos today and I wish there were more photos of this part of Birmingham at this time - there's a wonderful one on here with the man walking his Tamworths to slaughter but other than that, very few ... Makes me wonder what I'm NOT taking photos of...
 
With regard to W. G Cheese, cycle factors, my stepfather worked there until his early death in 1965. He did the deliveries around Brum in the company's Austin van. He worked from 8.30 to 5.00 Monday to Friday and also Saturday mornings. Cycle shops around the city and further afield knew the name. There certainly was a large sign on the frontage during the '50s and '60s. Mikegee's assumption they were still trading is correct. Around '74 or later I visited a cycle shop in oxford which had a parcel from W.G. Cheese sitting on the counter waiting to be opened.
 
Welcome Heythrop Boy. Thank you for adding to this thread.

Please note all, there were twoBradford Street thread#, which I’ve now merged into this one thread. So there may be other posts of interest contained in this thread.

Viv.
 
Hi,
Does anybody has got an idea what could be in the past in Bradford Court building (in the tower are located big water pipes). Address - Bradford Street 123-131.
Many thanks,
Joanna
 
Welcome Joanna. Unless the street numbering has changed it was Gupwells, the shopfitters. Somebody on here will be able to look it up in Kelly’s Directory for you.

The advert was from a 1973 Newspaper, so they were there until at least that time. They were very a successful company, frequently reported in newspapers for their specialist shopfitting work.

Afraid I’ve no idea what the tower was for, but someone may be able to help. Viv.

Viv0AFCC2BB-9DF5-4AC2-8785-31C55E9AE588.jpeg
 
Vivienne14 said:
Welcome Joanna. Unless the street numbering has changed it was Gupwells, the shopfitters. Somebody on here will be able to look it up in Kelly’s Directory for you.

The advert was from a 1973 Newspaper, so they were there until at least that time. They were very a successful company, frequently reported in newspapers for their specialist shopfitting work.

Afraid I’ve no idea what the tower was for, but someone may be able to help. Viv.

VivView attachment 153086
Click to expand...
Thank you so much Viv :)
 
Hi. I'm looking to see if anyone by any chance knows what building used to be at 220 Bradford Street. An ancestor lived there in 1925 but on the electoral register there were other people living at the same address who are not linked to the family. I just want to know if it was one house or if there was a court behind it maybe.
 
If there were separate houses in a court then they would have been listed separately.The 1921 directory lists 4 separate businesses and . from the map it appears to be industrial premises, not housing. does your information come from the electoral rolls?. If so then businesses then had a local vote and so would be included on the rolls.

ScreenHunter 6483.jpg

The map below shows no 220 in red around 1910.

map c1910 Bradford st showing no 220.jpg
 
Em1906 said:
Hi. I'm looking to see if anyone by any chance knows what building used to be at 220 Bradford Street. An ancestor lived there in 1925 but on the electoral register there were other people living at the same address who are not linked to the family. I just want to know if it was one house or if there was a court behind it maybe.
Click to expand...
The 1911 census lists No. 115 then jumps to No. 220 then the next entry is No. 223 so as Mike says above it's doubtful if there was a courtyard.
No. 220 is recorded as having 5 rooms (including the kitchen) and occupied by Sarah Griffin and her uncle Alfred Narborough. I don't have access to the 1921 census but that may throw up useful information.
 
Em1906 said:
Hi. I'm looking to see if anyone by any chance knows what building used to be at 220 Bradford Street. An ancestor lived there in 1925 but on the electoral register there were other people living at the same address who are not linked to the family. I just want to know if it was one house or if there was a court behind it maybe.
Click to expand...
could you confirm the name of your ancestor as someone who has subscribed to the 1921 may be kind enough to see where they were then...

lyn
 
mikejee said:
If there were separate houses in a court then they would have been listed separately.The 1921 directory lists 4 separate businesses and . from the map it appears to be industrial premises, not housing. does your information come from the electoral rolls?. If so then businesses then had a local vote and so would be included on the rolls.

View attachment 178495

The map below shows no 220 in red around 1910.

View attachment 178494
Click to expand...
Thanks. That's really useful!
 
Astoness said:
could you confirm the name of your ancestor as someone who has subscribed to the 1921 may be kind enough to see where they were then...

lyn
Click to expand...
My ancestor wasn't living at the address in 1921 or 1922. They were there by 1925 so would have moved between 1922 and 1925.
 
This is such an interesting post which I have just come across. I was wondering, would Bradford Place have been in Bradford Street? I have tried to find it on maps without any success.
 
In the 1870s newspapers appear to list a Bradford Place on Larches St, Sparkbrook. There were probably others.
 
mikejee said:
Below is a map showing where no 111 Bradford St was in c1950. Afraid left hand side not so clear, but it shows 111. Also a map c mid 1880s of Bradford st, on which I have marked 111 then in red

View attachment 144927View attachment 144928
Click to expand...
I worked in the building on the corner of Bradford St and Alcester St called Miller Works on the map.....This was from 1980-84ish and we knew it as the Old Chad Valley building ...there was a tower part about 6 storeys...it was mainly hollow and think had something to do with making plastic for the toys ( just my theory lol )...We then relocated to the buildings on the opposite corner of Bradford/Alcester named Guidex Works which took in all the little ones down to the corner.....worked there 1984- 95. Then it had double impressive wooden doors with a G on each which when closed were the initials of the owner ( GG) of our works....In both building we printed Lottery tickets for a large amount of football teams as well as commercial printing....companies were Pentagon Print and Wishbone Print.
 
Not sure if all are Bradford St or who took them - hope OK to put on here.
Update....Credit University of Birmingham
 

Attachments

  • 1.jpg
    1.jpg
    38.8 KB · Views: 40
  • 2.jpg
    2.jpg
    794.4 KB · Views: 35
  • 3.jpg
    3.jpg
    72.2 KB · Views: 33
  • 4.jpg
    4.jpg
    31.6 KB · Views: 31
  • 5.jpg
    5.jpg
    87.3 KB · Views: 38
  • 6.jpg
    6.jpg
    580.8 KB · Views: 39
Last edited:
Not a photo I am familiar with Lyn, great.
Car 705 is making its way to Kyotts Lake Road depot. The car was withdrawn in 1952. The photo shows what appears to be a temporary bus stop, probably due to demolitions and is likely to be for bus route 50. Also in view is the former Moseley Road tram junction which has been removed. Moseley Road trams ceased operation in October 1949. Also visible is a street fire alarm pillar opposite the pub (The anchor?).
 
Janet Hunt #139.....missed your Video last year...brilliant footage from area I worked in from 68-95....thanks.
 
Many years ago i went for a job interview at a company in Bradford Street, they were located on the right hand side
as you looked down the street and if i remember were in the stationary business.

Would anyone know their name?
 
AnnS said:
Many years ago i went for a job interview at a company in Bradford Street, they were located on the right hand side
as you looked down the street and if i remember were in the stationary business.

Would anyone know their name?
Click to expand...
Would that have been Guidex Ltd....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top