Bull Street

[mossg]

Another picture of the same spot dated 1956.moss

 

[Vivienne14]

A view from 1960 looking down Bull Street, Lewis's to the left. Remember Werff's (was it two 'f's ) to the right, on the corner of Temple Row. Liked their clothes. And look, they had a canopied entrance. How swish!

And another view but looking up Bull Street in 1963. I have a vague memory of the Chocolate Kabin. Viv.

1960 Bull Street
1963 Bull Street

 

[Vivienne14]

A view of Edward Grey's shop(s) in 1900. There are prominent signs for straw and felt hats, as well as flowers and feathers. I presume these would be feathers and (artificial) flowers for dressing up hats. Sounds very much like the business developed from an emphasis on hats, haberdashery etc. One of Grey's shop units in the photo is # 70. I wonder if this site is exactly where the later Grey's building was located. I like the lady peering out of the window above the 'Edward' part of the shop sign to the far right. Viv.

 

[mikejee]

Viv
It is on the same site, though the later building might take up a somewhat larger footprint. Edward grey seems to appear between 1892 & 1895. In 1895 he just occupied no 66, which i think must have been off screen to the right on the picture.

 

[Richie]

Regarding Viv's photos on post no 98, and the inclusions from the 1950s and 60s previously, I do wish we could go back to those days and keep what was loved and needed before rushing ahead with demolitions regardless.

As I'm entering my 60s very shortly I'm reminded of the 'pack-a-mack' days illustrated in the bottom of the two shots on post 98. To my recall one got even wetter from the perspiration these over-garments created than if one had stood under a broken guttering!

Here's a photo from the opposite direction, maybe the same year. Remember 'MacFisheries' anyone?

https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...-in-bull-street-birmingham-news-photo/3364698

 

[Richie]

Here's Werff's (two letter f's) and their Windsor Arcade shop. Think photo got evaporated in the photo-hacking a while ago so here it is again

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Mike. I remember Greys as a pretty substantial department store. Seem to remember reading somewhere that if you couldn't find what you needed in other stores, you'd always find it at Greys. I've also seen an old photo somewhere of the interior of Greys, maybe around the 1920s/30s I think. It looked like a warehouse. They must have gone through many refurbishments over time.

Hi Richie. great photos. Oh I do remember pack a mac! Always took one on school trips (e.g. Dudley Zoo, Kenilworth Castle) and one could always be found nestling at the bottom of my duffle bag. Remember those? A really useful drawstring bag with a white vinyl band around the top through which the drawstring passed. I had a grey/green one. You could sling them over your shoulder so ideal for day trips. Oops sorry off topic here.

Returning to Bull Street, Werff had 26 fashion stores across the UK in the mid-1960s, so not a small operation. They were bought up by the South African company, Edgar's (Edcon), but disposed of in 1971. I don't think they had a very long business life, unless some other chain bought them up after 1971.

Yes I also remember Mac Fisheries. They had branches in many high streets. Many of these chain stores have gone of course, but I can just make out Boots on the wall in your first photo. A true survivor. On your second photo of Windsor Arcade, notice the window cleaner with his ladder and bucket. Well nothing changes there, still the same method and same tools of the trade! Viv.

 

[the smiths]

I purchased my wedding out- fit from Werffs in 1970 and for the life of me could not remember the name of the shop so good to see this thread thank you....

 

[Vivienne14]

Now this 1890 view has been on the forum before but not on this thread. Such a great photo showing Bull Street; the Silver .... ? Hotel, the old fashioned spelling of Birmingham on the Reece Bros shop front, the two lads pulling the cart. A good old-fashioned lively scene. Viv.

 

[ellbrown]

That end of Bull Street is now closed to traffic (buses) as it will be part of the Midland Metro extension from Snow Hill to New Street Station.
Already the directions of Lower and Upper Bull Street have changed.

The direction of Lower Bull Street has been reversed (buses now go up it, then turn right onto Corporation Street - with the buses heading around Old Square).

This was last year on Corporation Street (but it changed a lot since then)

 

[Shortie]

Where in Bull Street is this, Viv? Is this looking into Temple Row?

 

[Vivienne14]

Hi Shortie. Reece Bros, the tobacconists on the right, is #1 Bull Street, which I think today is where it joins High Street/Dale End. So the view is looking up Bull Street towards the Corporation Street junction. Hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks for the update Ell. So much has changed over time at that junction of Bull St/ Corporation Street. So no surprise really its's changing once again. Viv.

 

[ellbrown]

There's been so many holes in the road recently (for the Midland Metro Works). They've been filled in. I'm just wondering how long before they install the rails and the Metro / tram stops along the extension.

Watch this video from ITV News Central from last year Birmingham's Midland Metro tram extension work starts (ITV1 Central coverage)

 

[Shortie]

I did wonder Viv, because Bull Street looks flatter in the photo than it is in reality - I had not seen the number. Could it even be the other end, at the junction with Colmore Row? I would query whether the spelling of Birmingham is an 'old' version - because there was no regular spelling at all of even names, until past 1870. I have two thoughts on that - either the sign was just puporting to look older than it really was, or the signwriter just spelled as he heard it. The Education Act of 1870 changed all that. Whatever, I think it's a fantastic photo. Do you have a date for it?

 

[Vivienne14]

You could be right Shortie. Looking closer at the photo (it's 1890) the road slopes downwards in the distance. I think we need the help of Mikejee if he sees this post. I wonder if he'd be able to show us where #1 Bull Street was in 1870? I'm also interested to know the full name of the hotel in the distance, looks like Silver ....... Hotel. Viv.

 

[Richie]

Now this 1890 view has been on the forum before but not on this thread. Such a great photo showing Bull Street; the Silver .... ? Hotel, the old fashioned spelling of Birmingham on the Reece Bros shop front, the two lads pulling the cart. A good old-fashioned lively scene. Viv.

View attachment 85416

Courtesy of the Illustrated London News, here's an etching of the same position, dated 1887. Not sure if the artist has been a bit eager to get names in on here but at least its an intriguing topic of conversation

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Richie. Your 1887 drawing shows Lewis's on the right so the 1890 photo must have been looking towards Corporation Street. That would put Reece's on the corner/junction of High Street and Dale End. Funny how the road appears to slope downwards in the distance on the 1890 photo. Don't remember it sloping away that much, but then the whole road system at that top end of Bull Street had changed when I first knew it. Viv.

 

[Hammer]

Just joined. Really pleased to see this. I wonder if there is another part to the image which includes No 7 Bull Street? My ancestor had a shop at No. 7 selling straw hats, ladies corsetry etc - he was there from about 1840 to 1845 and then emigrated. He obviously lived on the premises as I was fortunate enough to stumble across an advertisement listing all his various wares for sale just before leaving the country - even down to his Kidderminster carpets and square piano! I can recommend anyone whose ancestors were in trade before emigrating to check the newspapers for closing down sales.

Nickie

I think you might like this little gem Lyn. It's from the E. Edwards' 1877 Personal Recollections of Birmingham and Birmingham Men. I love these documents. They hold so much information. This is Bull Street as it was in 1840. Hopefully it uploads in a way that can be enlarged, otherwise I'll load it in sections. Viv


View attachment 73240

 

[mikejee]

A bit slow replying, but Reece's were at no 1 on the corner of Dale end. Peculiarly there is no Hotel between there and Lewis's in the 1890 Kellyds. indee there is no hotel called silver... in the directory at all. Seems the same in 1890 and 1880 also

 

[Richie]

Thanks Richie. Your 1887 drawing shows Lewis's on the right so the 1890 photo must have been looking towards Corporation Street. That would put Reece's on the corner/junction of High Street and Dale End. Funny how the road appears to slope downwards in the distance on the 1890 photo. Don't remember it sloping away that much, but then the whole road system at that top end of Bull Street had changed when I first knew it. Viv.

Bull Street does flatten out the other side of Corporation Street so maybe it just appears to down gradient the further the distance. We are correct in that the slope was 'banked up' in the 1960s to accommodate the underpass at Corporation Street/Bull Street are we?

Maybe the hotel advertises "Silver Service" and not the actual name of the hostelry. That would be the back of the Stork Hotel, anyone?

 

[Jayell]

Viv - on the 1891 Census, going along Bull Street there is a Joseph Hughes who is the proprietor of the Silver Grid Restaurant (Dalton Street). He is listed as a hotel proprietor. I wonder if this could be the Silver ? Hotel advertised in your picture?

Judy

 

[Vivienne14]

Welcome to the forum Hammer. I'm sure you'll find a lot of posts of interest on here. As far as I'm aware I don't think there's another section to the 1840 street plan, although it does seem odd to have just one section. But others may know better. Be great to find another section so that we can see the lower numbers long Bull Street.

Thanks Mike, Richie and Judy. I think your suggestion of the 'Silver Grill' Judy is probably right as you can just about make out the curve of a 'G' on the photo. Thanks all for your look ups.

Such a pity Bull Street 's less interesting today. Viv.

 

[ellbrown]

The Bull Street Hump was removed over a decade ago, during the last changes to that area (demolishing the subways). Is flatter now.

Today saw more workmen in deep holes on Bull Street for the Midland Metro works. Lots of pipes to move / change.

The main feature of Upper Bull Street today is probably Colmore Gate and The Minories. And Lower Bull Street, probably Martineau Place (the office block above is currently being renovated).

 

[Vivienne14]

Bull Street is pretty high up. In 1824 it was 109 ft above the River Rea bridge and the drop down to the bottom of Snow Hill was 60 ft. Not suggesting anyone should get out there with a tape measure, but I do wonder how much the level has changed with all the digging that's gone on along there over time (including the massive excavation for the various 1960s subways- as you say Ell now filled in).

Another view of Bull Street from around 1910. This is the Lewis's/ Greys end I think. Viv.

 

[ellbrown]

This is as it was in 2010 (from near Martineau Place). But roadworks have changed it since (e.g. bus stops are now on the other side - direction reversed etc).
Also been new street furniture e.g. new trees and benches.

 

[Hammer]

There are Simpson fishmongers at No 6 Bull Street on 1851 Census, so I'm hopeful that my No 7 Bull Street could be either side or opposite. According to my ancestor's sale of stock advert, No 7 was "seventh house from the High Street on the right hand side". Is this part of Bull Street still there (hope that fishmongers sign has not been destroyed)? Nickie

 

[Vivienne14]

Hi Hammer. Afraid both sides of the street at that end were re-built in the 1960s. Ell's last photo shows the result. But two earlier photos on here show Simpsons in the 1960s. Unfortunately, the buildings either side of Simpsons could be re-builds since the 1800s, as they look later than Simpson's.

And in this 1963 photo you can just make out the Simpson's sign 'Est. 1790' Original photo is on post # 98.

Let's hope someone has an earlier view of this end of Bull Street. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

This morning I took a long trip through the 1,500+ posts and pics on the "Old street pics.." thread. Well why not? There's over one and a half thousand excellent posts and images on there. And what a wonderful journey. Here's the link https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=38737

As I suspected, one of our very active members, 'Astoness' (Lyn), posted an 1880 view of Lower Bull Street on that thread. The old and decaying Lamb House is the subject of the photo, but look just across the road on the right. There's Simpsons, the fishmonger. My guess is that the taller house on the other side of Simpsons going up Bull Street is #7. Not a brilliant view, but it's a start. And how good to find Hammer's ancestors would have lived directly across the road from the Suffields. Viv.

 

[mikejee]

I'm not sure this is much better. Here I think Simpsons is the shop on the far right with the shiny cylinders/lights (?), and Simpsons is the next shop along.

 

[nijinski]

That's a great photo mike of I presume victorian bull st. Regards nijinski