Millicents shop New Street City Centre Birmingham

[JoP]

Does anyone have any information, photos or adverts of a double fronted ladies wear shop called 'Millicents', which was on New St in 1930's. My grandmother was a shop assistant there before she married, she was also known to model the dresses. I'm struggling to find any more details. Any information gratefully received. Thank you

 

[Astoness]

Does anyone have any information, photos or adverts of a double fronted ladies wear shop called 'Millicents', which was on New St in 1930's. My grandmother was a shop assistant there before she married, she was also known to model the dresses. I'm struggling to find any more details. Any information gratefully received. Thank you

hi ...i am sure someone could check directories and post a map for you showing where millicents was..also have you been through this thread from post 1 just in case there is an old photo of the shop ? always advisable to read from the beginning of a thread so that you do not miss anything..

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

Millicents was at #86 and #87 New Street. Sold couture clothing: dresses, coats, suits and millinery. In New Street until the 1950s. Them moved to another address but not sure where.

 

[JoP]

hi ...i am sure someone could check directories and post a map for you showing where millicents was..also have you been through this thread from post 1 just in case there is an old photo of the shop ? always advisable to read from the beginning of a thread so that you do not miss anything..

lyn

Thanks Lyn, yes I read through this long thread but no mention or visible on the fabulous images which have been shared.

 

[JoP]

Millicents was at #86 and #87 New Street. Sold couture clothing: dresses, coats, suits and millinery. In New Street until the 1950s. Them moved to another address but not sure where.

Ahh great, thanks Viv, at least I know where on New St it was now. That's very helpful, much appreciated

 

[Vivienne14]

I've moved earlier posts to this dedicated thread.

I've found these in British Newspaper Archives. There were later premises (after moving out of New Street, probably in 1957) at Bennetts Hill, and also Five Ways.

 

[brummy-lad]

A current view and 1950s map of what was Millicent's, No. 85 is Greggs, No.86 is First Personnel so I would think the shop is now occupied by The Royal British Legion (well in 2019 it was by 2022 it was empty).

 

[JoP]

I've moved earlier posts to this dedicated thread.

I've found these in British Newspaper Archives. There were later premises (after moving out of New Street, probably in 1957) at Bennetts Hill, and also Five Ways. View attachment 200814

Thank you so much Viv, this means so much to my father and I. Sadly, my grandmother passed away when my father was an infant so to gain some insight into her life is magnificent

 

[JoP]

A current view and 1950s map of what was Millicent's, No. 85 is Greggs, No.86 is First Personnel so I would think the shop is now occupied by The Royal British Legion (well in 2019 it was by 2022 it was empty).

Brilliant! Thanks John. I was just looking at Google Maps and thought it might be about there so it's really helpful gain confirmation

 

[Vivienne14]

Looking at brummy-lad's map in post #7, it looks like the entrance to #86 was through a doorway (blue door on Streetview). The shop at street level would have been #87 and perhaps there was a workroom or showroom at #86 which I'm assuming would be accessed through the doorway to rooms above the shop. Could be wrong, but it might explain why #86 didn't have a shop front.

 

[Vivienne14]

The Millicent business once also extended from New Street into Pinfold Street. They also had #45 Pinfold Street, this was a boutique. It seems likely that the New Street premises and Pinfold Street boutique would have been physically linked. It was obviously a successful business. Perhaps the 'boutique' on Pinfold Street was opened to appeal to younger women. Modern Streetview shows #45 Pinfold Street behind the man.

 

[JoP]

Thank you so much Viv, this is so interesting and certainly worth more time digging

 

[pjmburns]

The buildings in New TSreet and Pinfold Street are linked.
2017 plannning application


They are listed buildings

 

[pjmburns]

 

[pjmburns]

Plan in last post dated 2013 makes it look as if 87 and 45 are one shop but a more detailed drawing shows various doors stc.

 

[Astoness]

thats great info jan

lyn

 

[pjmburns]

Thanks Lyn. A lot of the planning applications seem to link the 2 buildings.

 

[Astoness]

Thanks Lyn. A lot of the planning applications seem to link the 2 buildings.

certainly looks that way jan...

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

I think Millicent's occupied the Pinfold Street premises from c1951 until the late 1950s.

 

[JoP]

Plan in last post dated 2013 makes it look as if 87 and 45 are one shop but a more detailed drawing shows various doors stc.
View attachment 200853

Many thanks Janice, really interesting info. Much appreciated