Ghost signs of Birmingham

[I Am Nico]

I can't describe the smell but I can smell it now and they all smelled of it.

 

[Vivienne14]

Spot on for me Lady P. Viv.

 

[sospiri]

There used to be a chain, I think it was London-based, but they had a branch in Bournemouth - Threadgold? or some such name - same mixture of smells and now long since gone. One or two delicatessens that also sell coffee also have a similar smell.

Maurice

 

[mikejee]

I think it is a combination of the bacon and the coffee that gives it that smell

 

[I Am Nico]

Fine Fare and Maypole smelled like washing powder and off cheese and cardboard. The Co Op, I don't know, maybe bacon, fresh cheddar and butter? Not coffee. Loose tea maybe. I don't remember them selling bread. Bead was from the bakers.

 

[mw0njm.]

wrensons always smelt of bacon.

 

[Pedrocut]

Looking for the location of Clifton Terrace, off South Road Erdington, you can just make out the old sign.

 

[pjmburns]

1963 map

 

[ellbrown]

Found a Twinings ghost sign on Groveley Lane in Longbridge near Coombes Lane.

 

[RobT]

This was sent to me by Nico, who asked me to resize the photo for him he took in Kenilworth. For Ghost Signs. Of George Masons Green Grocers. It is in the High Street.
Broken biscuits in tins with glass lids. I remember when they went walk around with a woman at the till all
new fangled.

 

[I Am Nico]

Thank you Rob

 

[brianthelion]

14 years living in JQ and never ever noticed this on Albion Street before!

 

[Astoness]

thanks bri i took a photo of that one a couple of years back...think i posted it on here but too many posts to go back on to check lol

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

Some ghost signs have virtually disappeared and are illegible. Some original images of buildings with signs that have later become ghost signs have been made available on this thread by member SteveBhx here https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/for...-birmingham-photos-from-stevebhx.52814/page-4. Member pjmburns has matched them up with the current Google Streetview. These are reposted here for future reference. Viv.


61 Anderton Road “Stratford House”


149 Soho Road


377 Soho Road. No obvious signs of a ghost sign, but there’s the possibility of there being some evidence of the sign underneath the boards. Boards and fasciae often preserve a sign beneath them.

 

[DavidGrain]

Thanks for the work various people have done on these latest photos.

 

[Vivienne14]

Some more from SteveBhx photos posted on the Corner Shops thread here https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/corner-shops.52815/

341 Soho Road


121 Bordesley Green


79 Ninevah Road


1 Barrows Lane

 

[pjmburns]

Some more from SteveBhx

341 Soho Road
View attachment 152543

Pity that tree is there. The current streetview has the tree with all its leaves.

 

[Vivienne14]

I’m reposting this one of SteveBhx’s photos from the Corner Shops thread because it did have a ghost sign, but due to the changes to the roof, all traces have now gone. But you can see the fixings for the sign on the corner in the B&W photo and another oblong sign to the right.

 

[Vivienne14]

A few more from SteveBhx’s Corner Shops thread with their modern day view. Most of these have little evidence of the original signs, but they may be covered over with later advertising boards. Ones to watch should the boards ever be removed. Viv.

 

[A Sparks]

Still a chemist shop on the corner of Crocketts Road

 

[I Am Nico]

My partner's late mum's neighbour used to be a key cutter

 

[brianthelion]

Love these posts. Excellent stuff and a great discovery.

 

[pjmburns]

Just travelling (virtually) down Pershore Road in search of Steve's mystery shop from another thread and came across this - corner of Pershore Road and Twynings Road. Covered until 2019 by an advertising hoarding (marks can be seen).

 

[Vivienne14]

Two more from the SteveBHx collection and compared with pjmburns’ Google. Viv.

 

[pjmburns]

664 Coventry Road - thanks to SteveBHx for spotting it.

 

[mikejee]

Up till 1921 this appears to be a private house. By 1932 Kellys it is Miss Kate Tullett, domestic stores, which it remained for several years. I would suggest the Battery charging came from her ownership.

 

[SteveBhx]

Found you at last , this is 316 Aston Church Road, bit of a struggle to read and it seems to be on the two faces of the building

 

[SteveBhx]

Corner of Gowan Road and Tarry Road, best I could do I am afraid

 

[Astoness]

great additions to this thread steve...thank you

lyn

 

[pjmburns]

Corner of Gowan Road and Tarry Road, best I could do I am afraid

View attachment 153365

If you go back a few years on streetview the sign is better. This view is 2008.