Hi I am doing a little investigation into the property at 12 Pilgrim Street, Birkenhead; specifically previous businesses that were located their, as well any pictures of the site. As the building was opposite the Pilgrim Street County Primary School i thought it was likely their would be some images of the area, or people would have recollections of the site as it was. So far the only pictures i have been able to find of that part of Birkenhead are on britainfromabove, for example https://britainfromabove.org.uk/image/eaw029288 https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EAW001721 where the street can be seen on the right of the images. Any help would be most welcome.
Hubbard and Martin's Bakery was facing the school, the building later became Oxton Engineering, further down on the same side was Peco Silencers, that's all I can tell you from 1991, probably a bit late for what you're looking for.
Out of curiosity I had a look at the Bing maps site, the Hubbard and Martins bakery/ Oxton engineering building is number 12, I was the manager for a couple of years but I don't have any other information, except Hubbard and Martin's also had a shop with a bakery behind it, on the corner of Balls Rd. and Woodchurch Rd, (other info which is totally irelevant, but I went to school with the son Ted Hubbard in the 50s)
Thats really useful thanks, it confirms what ive found in a Cheshire Professional and Trades Directory from 1910 which listed a site on Pilgrim street for Hubbard and Martins. From what i can gather from ordinance survey maps the site was built sometime in the 1900s or 1910's, so i think it is likely the bakery was the first business at the address. I have been told that between the bakery and Oxton Engineering their was another company based on the site called Rigby Engineering. However, i cannot find any information on this business and the only clue for dates i have is that the property stops being marked as 'Bakery' on maps in the 70s. Beyond that i have no idea when they operated out of pilgrim street.
photo index at B'head main library those with pilgrim st in name
BPL 3412 Chester Street - Easterly side, Water Street to Pilgrim Street BPL 3413 Chester Street - Easterly side, at Pilgrim Street C845 Friars gate/Pilgrim street. (Former county court building). C15l3 Rear door- old county court buildings- Pilgrim street. Showing coat of arms of the chapelry of Birkenhead. 1983. C2640 Rear of new land registry building from Pilgrim street, 1987. F321 Pilgrim Street Primary School BWD 426 Pilgrim Street BWD 427 Pilgrim Street
