Hollingsworth Tobacconist

[Vivienne14]

I should remember this shop in Temple Row having walked along there every day around the time for several years, but just can’t place it. Was it opposite Rackham’s rear entrance near the GW Arcade ? Still going in the 1990s, the advert in the next post claims it was in business since 1828. has a long history. Must be very few tobacconists still around today. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

Hollingsworth - cigar importers since 1828. In the 1950s was joined with Withers. Mr Jack Withers was Managing Director of Hollingsworth - mentioned in the 1978 article in the previous post. Viv.


Source: British Newspaper Archive

 

[Vivienne14]

Mr Tierney who’d worked for/with Mr Hollingsworth until c1870 set up in business in High Street just after Mr Hollingsworth moved his business to New Street. Cigar wars ! I expect cigar and cigarette trading was very competitive - a time when a large proportion of the adult population smoked. Viv.


Source: British Newspaper Archive

 

[A Sparks]

Yes, I remember the shop, it was next to the arcade on the same side of Temple Row as Rackhams, right under Windsor House.

In the block where the fence is now in front of...

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks. I worked for TSA in Windsor House in the 1970s so that must be why it’s vaguely familiar. Probably even went in there to buy cigarettes. Viv.

 

[A Sparks]

Thanks. I worked for TSA in Windsor House in the 1970s so that must be why it’s vaguely familiar. Probably even went in there to buy cigarettes. Viv.

Yes, I remember you saying, I worked in Windsor House too, for the Inland Revenue!
I bought cigarettes in there sometimes, I can still vaguely remember the face of one of the men who worked in there.

 

[Vivienne14]

This is Withers and Reynolds although I doubt they served on the shop floor ! This is from the same article in post #1.

I’ve since been wondering if Withers is the same Withers who had kiosks at railway stations etc. I think there was one at the old Snow Hill Station. Viv.


Source: British History Online

 

[Dave89]

Hi,

I worked in the city centre during the early 60's and once a month
I visited Hollingsworth's and treated myself to a packet of Lucky Strike.
Happy memories!

Kind regards
Dave

 

[Sugar]

Yes I bought my dads first pipe from the same shop in the 70s and I remember it looked very oldie worldie inside. .I also bought my cocktail cigarettes which had lovely pastel colours and we only smoked them when we went out because we felt so posh but they were very expensive I think I paid 5 pound for a pack of 20 which it dont sound dear now but back then it was very dear.

 

[mikejee]

Hollingsworth in Temple Row were at no 5. This is not specifically marked on the 1950s map, but is approx where the red dot is on the map below

 

[Vivienne14]

Old snuff jars.

There seems to be no mention of a Hollingsworth successor to the tobacco business after John Hollingsworth passed away in 1942. I’m wondering if Withers just kept the Hollingsworth business name.

Viv.
Source: British Newspaper Archive

 

[Astoness]

thanks viv....i wonder what happened to those wonderful old storage jars

lyn