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C & A Modes Corporation street

I used to love their Clockwork teenage fashion range in the late '70's, I had a lovely dark pink and grey bib and braces dress for a party from there, my first pencil skirt (black with a split at the back) in 1979, loved that skirt, I wore it until it fell apart and mom and dad brought me a gorgeous black and white "2 Tone" dress from there for Christmas 1979. I felt like a pop star when I wore it, especially when I found some of moms original '60's shoes!

Had loads of tops and jumpers from there, including my school jumper as they were one of the few places back then who sold fashionable clothes in bottle green.

Then I used to buy stuff from the Rag Market, sometimes Oasis, and Chelsea Girl, loved their clothes and bags!
 
Brummygirl66 said:
I used to love their Clockwork teenage fashion range in the late '70's, I had a lovely dark pink and grey bib and braces dress for a party from there, my first pencil skirt (black with a split at the back) in 1979, loved that skirt, I wore it until it fell apart and mom and dad brought me a gorgeous black and white "2 Tone" dress from there for Christmas 1979. I felt like a pop star when I wore it, especially when I found some of moms original '60's shoes!

Had loads of tops and jumpers from there, including my school jumper as they were one of the few places back then who sold fashionable clothes in bottle green.

Then I used to buy stuff from the Rag Market, sometimes Oasis, and Chelsea Girl, loved their clothes and bags!
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If I remember correctly, it was ClockHouse rather than Clockwork
 
Around 1970 I had a maxi dress from C & A for a school friend's 18th birthday party. It had a cream background with a pattern of broken-up circles in orange and gold, and the top was a bit smocked. It cost £3.00, which was probably a lot for my parents in those days (at the time I didn't realise that).
Afterwards, I cut it down to make a smock top, so got good value out of it!

maria
 
The beauty of maxi clothes Maria! I had a long jersey maxi coat which I later transformed into a jacket and mini skirt. Loved that too. Viv.
 
Not too difficult Maria as it was jersey material. Most difficult bit was inserting the zip into skirt. Dressmaking was taught at school. Very few schools do it today. Think the closest you'll get to it today in schools is 'Textiles'. Glad I learnt at school because it's meant I've always been able to alter clothes and save a fortune on paying someone else to do it. Viv.
 
The 1937 official re-opening of the Corporation Street branch. Think this probably followed enlargement of an earlier store on the same site (?). Don't remember those columns nor the balcony - maybe they were 'modernised' (ie removed/covered over) by the 1960s. In their full page spread advert they highlight "you will not be pressed to buy". Like that. Can't stand being made to feel you should buy. Viv.
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Now discovered the building in #72 was bomb damaged and a shop was opened in High Street and New Street. Eventually by 1955 the earlier Corporation Street shop was re-built, hence the "Now all under one roof". And it became the largest GB store. Viv. image.jpeg
 

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Does anyone know the date in 1971 that C&A opened in Birmingham. I have found a picture of it opening with crowds rushing in and lo and behold my wifes late Mother is there. The picture is in the Birmingham Mail (on line) along with other pics of stores that were in Birmingham.
Reddi
 
There appears to have been several 're-openings' and one mentioned below.

C&A was bombed in WW2 a few years after it re-opened the Corporation Street shop in 1937. There is information and some photos about the shop in the thread below.

C & A Modes Corporation street

Hi All, Just as a matter of interest does anyone know what C & A stands for? e.g M & S stands for Marks and Spencers. Old Boy See Post #45.
birminghamhistory.co.uk birminghamhistory.co.uk
 
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pjmburns said:
I am sure it was open well before 1971 as I remember going before then.
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So did I. It was my go to shop for clothes in th mid to late 60s. They had a section that was aimed at young women's fashion. I can't remember the name of the label. The other shop that was an affordable favourite was Dorothy Perkins.
 
There was a Clockhouse section in C&A that was particularly for young people but I'm not sure that goes back to the 60's.
 
That rings a bell. I think that was it. Strange name now I come to think of it. What was it meant to signify?
 
An aerial photo of C & A in 1949
oldMohawk said:
An aerial view of the Big Top site in 1949, the Times building and the Co-Op partially block the view. C&A and Union Passage visible, and a sign of the those times, most cars were painted black.
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image from 'britainfromabove'
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Wasn't C&A in the old Henry's building in Union Street for a while?
Maybe while Corporation Street was being refurbished?
 
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