• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

OLD BIRMINGHAM PHOTOS FROM STEVEBHx

1096 Pershore Road Stirchley 1972 - I am not sure what shock me more the picture of the miner with a cigarette or the fact they were 23p a pack!! Another interesting roof line . The a re couple of things relating to the street scene , firstly the Stirchley area sign hanging and the small pointer with the house number on it - are they a Birmingham "thing" ?
Is it me or has the first house had some alterations, there is a front door but then the shadowing of a door and the window it the same height but seems shorter again with the shadowing underneath?

View attachment 172603
Small poster at the bottom is advertising Salad Days. It was a musical first performed in UK 1954. Presumably this ad is for a theatre in Birmingham.
 
Last edited:
Now these are a few of the picture I have saved and scanned, the majority of the "interesting ones" have been posted - I know this is all relative so now we are down to walls, hordings and a few street scenes.
This is the corner of Warwick Road and Medlicott Road in 1974. A fine few cars, and a selection of adverts from OXO through to VAT 69, and can tou imagine a cigarette advert where everone can see today!
Can I also point out the old street lamp which cast its light 6 foot either side if I remember.

View attachment 172273
 

Attachments

  • Warwick Road - 2022.JPG
    Warwick Road - 2022.JPG
    70.5 KB · Views: 38
This is the corner of Hazelwell Road and ... Firstly the adverts on the end wall would not survive today, but its a sign (!) of the times. Love the size of the pram and from the left - Laundrette do they still have them - and why the penguin?, next love the neon sign on the fish and chip shop, then Hughes and sons and next door Becky - any offers what they were. Vauxhall and a Mini on the corner and a fine selection of chimney pots

View attachment 172276
Still adverts on the wall but very different shops.
 

Attachments

  • Hazelwell Road - 2022.JPG
    Hazelwell Road - 2022.JPG
    92.5 KB · Views: 29
Start off with some black and white pictures, this is 1580 - 1582 Pershore Road in 1982, Kenneth Beeson and Co, cannot say I have heard of him however Company checker has him involved for many years as an estate agent. Interest rates of 81/4 % !!, Mid terrace of a row of shops - Midland Red agent on side and a shoe repairers on the other.

View attachment 172351
Converted to houses
 

Attachments

  • Pershore Rd 1580-82 -2022.JPG
    Pershore Rd 1580-82 -2022.JPG
    60.6 KB · Views: 12
Next up 1680 Bristol Road South this one a few years earlier at 1971and I don't know where to start shop or cars, from the left an upmarket (!) cafe offering Breakfast dinner Luncheons and teas, next York House, followed by the Chemist - love the Kodak advert and the Max factor one too, The music box with records and fancy goods , can I draw your attension to the advert for the Ideal Homes exhibition - I presume at Bingley Hall, lots of things you didn't know you wanted or needed. Mrs G.... Grocery Store Player No. 6 advert in the window with the Green grocers next to that. While it is a black and white image you get the impression that all the frontages were Black and white / Cream. Onto the cars, a fine selection classic brish vehicles and a Bedford(?) van, but look at the size of that Mustang, obviously stood out in a crowd.

View attachment 172352
 

Attachments

  • Bristol Road South 1680 - 2022.JPG
    Bristol Road South 1680 - 2022.JPG
    62.9 KB · Views: 32
Now this location is a bit unusual as it seems there is a property missing- do we know what happened to it?
This is adjacent to 171 Anderton Road in 1974, sorry I don't have a location - but there used to be a building behind the slats and there is a window at first floor, property to the right has a few dodgy slates and we can see the roof line on the chimney on the left. Is that a butchers on the left with the white tiles , next shop has a Tizer advert and you can make out a large set of scales on the counter inside and finally TV shop with blinds down and a TV on the pavement. Only two cars on the pavement is a Ford Escort estate and in front is a possible a Morris 1100 .

View attachment 172354
Anderton road Small Heth
 

Attachments

  • adj.171 Anderton Road - 2022.JPG
    adj.171 Anderton Road - 2022.JPG
    70.3 KB · Views: 27
This now 1975, I had a picture of the front of this building a while ago - 69, now this is the side entrance - purely for the way it looks - signs propped up against the wall advertising lamb and parts of other animals, we know it is 341 Soho Road and Babbington Road from the sign on the back of the van. I like the brickwork to the wall and the ornamental grill in the opening. A couple of fine chimney stack at the rear.

View attachment 172355
 

Attachments

  • Babington Road -2022.JPG
    Babington Road -2022.JPG
    96.5 KB · Views: 19
Finally for tonight Pershore Road Stirchley and Dog Pool lane- now this may be a duplicate as I seem to recall it although I have not moved it to my "posted" folder so perhaps I just looked at it? sure you will tell me. The year is 1972 and so much to see - blinds down to keep the sun off the windows, Rhonas hair stylists, Cook Shop and the Post Office - love the gent with the walking stick looking in the window. Love the Pinta value sign, interstingly if yoou go on Streetview the sign hoarding has been removed and there is a ghost sign behind it.

View attachment 172357
 

Attachments

  • Pershore Road Stirchley  2022.JPG
    Pershore Road Stirchley 2022.JPG
    72.5 KB · Views: 38
this is apparently 23 Albert Street Dale End, lots of remains of roof lines, staircase and door, love the Morris Traveller, I believe this is now the NCP car park, but I am happy to be proved wrong
Hi, lovely to see all these pics. I worked at Jefferson 'B' Fashions, 24 Albert St. I worked there from 1972 - 74 and there was no parking lot then.
 
The end premises on the left (with the canopy) was Chelsea Girl. Cheapish clothes, blaring music and a chance to meet up with friends on a Saturday.

Had a big, big run-in with Ravel’s shoe shop on the left. I had a pair of boots from there that fell apart within no time. They never replaced them. Didn’t know of the Small Claims Court at the time so didn’t take it any further. Viv.
What is the sign lady with a girl?
 
The end premises on the left (with the canopy) was Chelsea Girl. Cheapish clothes, blaring music and a chance to meet up with friends on a Saturday.

Had a big, big run-in with Ravel’s shoe shop on the left. I had a pair of boots from there that fell apart within no time. They never replaced them. Didn’t know of the Small Claims Court at the time so didn’t take it any further. Viv.
I bought a pair of shoe from Ravel’s and the heel on one of the shoes came loose the first time I wore them .
when I returned them them and complained I was told by the manager the were ‘fashion shoes’ and the problem with the heel was because I had worn them??.
After a heated discussion, he agreed to repair them , I waited 3 weeks and when I got the back an industrial size staple had been applied to both heels of the shoes making them look awful.
Another deep and me discussion took place , when I pointed out the the same shoes were still on sale and when would the staple be fitted to those before or after a purchase , I eventually got a refund , never went there again .
 
I bought a pair of shoe from Ravel’s and the heel on one of the shoes came loose the first time I wore them .
when I returned them them and complained I was told by the manager the were ‘fashion shoes’ and the problem with the heel was because I had worn them??.
After a heated discussion, he agreed to repair them , I waited 3 weeks and when I got the back an industrial size staple had been applied to both heels of the shoes making them look awful.
Another deep and me discussion took place , when I pointed out the the same shoes were still on sale and when would the staple be fitted to those before or after a purchase , I eventually got a refund , never went there again .
Very well done!
 
Can I first draw your attention to the sign top right, lady and child hand in hand , Union Street leading down to Marks and Spencers, looks like pedestrianisation in progress, narrow street with the Centre Bus coming towards the camera.
Dorothy Perkings next to M & S and of course Littlewoods side entrance on the left. One last thing the classic light posts with the tube type lights on top.


View attachment 169268
That is a fantastic picture, it brought me right back to when I was a teenager, I can remember walking past those shops to get the 58 / 60 bus to go home to Coventry Rd .
Always remember Chelsea Girl on the corner.
 
Well a challenge for the first picture - old church either used as a warehouse or just as a way of attaching adverts.
I can confirm it is 1974 and a look behind the Ford Escort says it is Prin...... ...st. The second picture has a commemorative stone behind the Vauxhall Viva but I cannot get any better than that. Shame to see the building go to waste.

View attachment 154927
These two pictures of the church are at the top of Prince Albert Street and Little Green Lane. I lived in Prince Albert Street for 15 years.
 
Merry Christmas to you all, I am sorry it has been so long - you know how it is !!

I have a selection of slides to post however, I am trying not to duplicate from previous posts but they may slip through.

First up a view of Great Brook Street, the City Day Nursery, building has a fine selection of sash windows, and a nice lamp outside. Interesting that a couple of the windows have been replaced on the top floor, and a blocked window in the middle if compared with other buildings in the row.

Test315 1.jpg
 
I am assuming this is St Thomas's corner of Bath Row, nice picture, children waiting to cross the road, and crossing person with their "Lollypop". Looking nothing like this these days, as you are aware I have no year for these slides so any guesses are down to you. A look at the church shows a plain building with not many ornamental flourishes, a few columns and twirls at the top.

Test317 1.jpg
 
Merry Christmas to you all, I am sorry it has been so long - you know how it is !!

I have a selection of slides to post however, I am trying not to duplicate from previous posts but they may slip through.

First up a view of Great Brook Street, the City Day Nursery, building has a fine selection of sash windows, and a nice lamp outside. Interesting that a couple of the windows have been replaced on the top floor, and a blocked window in the middle if compared with other buildings in the row.

View attachment 176453
The top floor seems to have different brickwork as though the roof has been raised?
 
Last edited:
This is somewhere else which has changed beyond recognition, This is the entrance to the Bull Ring Shopping and Markets, the wide entrance door led to both with the Market on the left hand side.
A very clean and tidy looking image, with grass and flower bed and the white trip rail on the left.
Interesting that most of the men have suits on, and the ladies in summer dresses, and the size of those shopping bags!
You can just see half of the iconic Woolworth sign, another icon of the old Bull Ring


Test302 1.jpg
 
Back
Top