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City Centre Photographs

Stitcher said:
Never mind Maggs, we will never be able to alter things because not enough people care any longer.
If you are of a similar age to myself, we have had the very best neighbours and communities, the very best music and night club scene, the very best employment and the very best of anything else you would like to mention.
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Absolutely Sticher, we did have some of the best times in all the areas you mention. I have good memories of all those things and wouldn't want to change it for anything.
 
I agree with all your say Shortie. It must have seemed like a blank canvas after the war, and they were able to think up new big ideas to change the face of Brum forever. They should have left the best of the buildings and built in keeping with them. I think a lot of the one's there today, will be so shabby in about 30 yrs from now, and this also includes the awful Selfridges, which is a eyesore to me. The Bull Ring it will always be to us. Shame they can't bring back some of the old and a lot of us would be delighted.
 
Stitcher said:
View attachment 73298
Paradise Street, looking past the Midland Institute towards the Town Hall in 1938.
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And here is the very same location 25 years later much further towards the Town Hall on this occasion. As everyone will see Galloways Corner is still its thriving building yet only a few years later than this 1963 picture nothing but a flat bit of grassland.

War damage? My bottom!! My parents generation (I'm closing up on 60 years of age myself now) knew how to mend and live quite adequately. But the arrogance of the West which came in post-War years owing to the possession of the Atom-Bomb and the convenience of the motor-car meant that the swift-acting smooth-talking cocktail squad made the elegance of Birmingham a despised and hunted item.

If any forumers are interested I will track down and post a British Pathe video of planners at a cocktail party working out in the 1950's how to ruin Victoria Street in Whitehall one of the major Victorian thoroughfares in London, identical to Paradise Street.

Am I being too controversial?
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I would love to know what this man is/was thinking.
1904, and behind the memorial you can see The Temperace Hotel which was demolished in 1905.
 
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Re. post 551, as stated it is a watercolour from 1845 and Vivienne14 pointed out that there is a raised footpath on the left.
The picture on this post is the same view but there is no raised footpath, I do not have a date for this one.
 
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I know this is The Old Square, and I know it is a trolley bus but I do not know when.


I have started looking through another folder of papers which consists mainly of pictures, some are damaged and a number have no information whatsoever. I will post whatever I think Others will find interesting.
 
I think I have read somewhere that Lewis's had its Palladian cladding in the 1930's, so this might make it earlier than the 30's. I am sure someone will know the absolute correct date.
 
Stitcher said:
View attachment 73487
I know this is The Old Square, and I know it is a trolley bus but I do not know when.
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This series of trolleys ran from 1932 on the Old Square - Nechells 7 route, which was replaced by the 43 bus in 1940 due to blackout problems, the buses were then kept as spares (in Samson Rd paintshops, part of Kyotts Lake Rd tram works) but never ran again, and were sold for scrap in 1945.
 
Shortie said:
I think I have read somewhere that Lewis's had its Palladian cladding in the 1930's, so this might make it earlier than the 30's. I am sure someone will know the absolute correct date.
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The Lewis's shown was the former Newbury's store, which was rebuilt by Lewis's in the 1930s.
Lewis's was part of a chain of stores, with it's headquarters in Liverpool. More details here.
 
Stitcher said:
View attachment 73502
Another one of Corporation Street from 1895
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Hi Stitcher. This photo must have been taken from an upper floor of the Exchange Building, corner of New Street and Stephenon's Place. A good clear view up Corporation Street, with Pattison's to the left (with the larger awning curving round into Fore Street). The entrance to the Arcade must be a bit further down on the left-hand side too but can't quite make it out. You're doing a great job. Thanks. Viv.
 
Thanks for the cooments Vivienne and Lloyd. Ooh where would we be without people like you.
 
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This one comes with some writing, In 1889 a site bounded by Edmund Street, Congreve Street, Margaret Street and Great Charles Street, was aquired on a lease of 999 years at rental of £5,400 with a view to extending the Council House. The new building was estimated at a cost of £150,000 and architects were invited to submit plans. The London firm of Ashley and Newman was chosen and work began in in 1910, and in june1912 the building was fit for occupation. The photograph shows the newly opened Council House extension. The tram just leaving Edmund Street is destined for Smethwick. (the photo is attributed Thomas Lewis.)
 
Must have waited at that bus stop countless times, in rain snow, hail and sunshine. You could rely on Grey's canopy to give welcome shelter. The night service buses ran from there too. In the 70s you could pick up your next days Sunday Mercury from the newspaper man a bit further up towards Temple Row. And you could grab a burger from the mobile canteen parked on the empty Snow Hill Station site. All you needed in one place to set you up for the journey home on the late night bus. Viv.
 
oldMohawk said:
The link below goes to post #6 in the thread 'A drive around Birmingham in the 1950s'. The post has a link to a video clip which shows many people waiting outside Greys for buses. The brakes on buses seemed to squeal a lot in the those days.

https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=36589&p=396309#post396309
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Back in the 1950s all the Football Specials used to go from there on Saturday lunch
time!Villa Park one week St Andrews the next.This was before Sky used to dictate
the kick off time, Bernard
 
The night service buses that I caught all used to run from Colmore Row in the late 50's/early 60's. And just round the corner from Grays. I can remember buying stockings from Grays at 2s a pair!!

Judy
 
Bernard67Arnold said:
Back in the 1950s all the Football Specials used to go from there on Saturday lunch
time!Villa Park one week St Andrews the next.This was before Sky used to dictate
the kick off time, Bernard
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Hi Bernard. I notice the 1946 buses had the Corporation 'Forward' arms on, but no longer in the 1950s photo in Oldmohawk's post # 592.

Hi Judy. I remember getting grey school stockings from Greys. Not as glam as your nylons, in fact they were most unflattering! Viv.
 
I think most of the buses in the city centre run from there now,
 
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