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The Argyle

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308 Argyle Precinct see topic

Hello uptoncx
Could you tell me what year the photograph was taken on your reply no 337686. There is a row of cars in that picture and that's why I'm asking?
Thanks

The photographs were taken in April, 1980

Thanks uptoncx
In the line up of cars, it looks like the white, Ford Escourt Estate car that myself and my Husband had at that time. We would nip into town to Asda. He kept all of his work stuff in the boot, my you couldn't do that now.
We were so pleased when we got this car instead of a works van. My Husband and I used to go out every Sunday with our baby and there was plenty of room for his buggy and our bags, what happy times we had.

From a Birkenhead CBC book:

In the early 1960’s the Birkenhead Council set the wheels in motion for the redevelopment of the existing shopping centre based on Grange Road. An imaginative and ambitious scheme, which was produced by consultants incollaboration with the Borough Engineer and Surveyor and Planning Officer and Borough Valuer and Estates Manager, was accepted in principle by the Council in February 1967.

The new precinct will completely transform the shopping centre of Birkenhead. It will consist of pedestrian pavements flanked by shop units and bigger stores, with car parks on the perimeter of the scheme.

These big units have already been let to departmental stores of national repute.

Provision has also been made in the scheme for the relocation, in a central position, of the famed Birkenhead Market.
At the outset the Council decided that the benefit ofthe scheme should go entirely to the ratepayers of Birkenhead. With this in mind it undertook the development on its own account, a rare step for a local authority. Consultant Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Engineers were engaged to supervise the construction of the precinct, although they have been supplemented by a team of council officers from various departments. To assist in the financing of the scheme the Council were obliged to enter into partnership with outside financiers who are providing a proportion of the necessary capital. However, even allowing for their share, the largest proportion of the profits will go to the ratepayers.

Although there have been considerable delays in the construction of the precinct, it is hoped that the first units in Milton Pavement will be trading by the summer of 1974. It is pleasing to note that not only have local traders been anxious to take units in the scheme but the large multiple shops have recognized the potential of Birkenhead. The scheme is, therefore, already very well let.

The Policy Committee of the Council formed a sub-committee, with full delegated authority, to be responsible for the scheme and for the greater part of its existence this sub—committee has been chaired by Alderman John H.Roberts, JP, Leader of the Council.

Wow thats a blast from the past, thanks for the pics xxx

The original idea for this redevelopment goes back much further than the 1960s. By chance, about 20 years ago, while browsing in Prenton Library, I came across a copy of a a document produced around 1943 or 1944. This was the proposal for the rebuilding of Birkenhead after the War. This document included an artist's impression of a revamped shopping area in Grange Road, including a pedestrianised area. In addition, the document proposed re-siting the Market at St. Werburgh's Square, which is remarkably close to where it was eventually built.

Does anyone remember The African Shop, a short-lived shop in one of the side roads off Grange Road (something like the 3rd road down from Charing Cross)?

Also, does anyone remember the roundabout at Charing Cross in the 60s at Christmas Time. I seem to remember there was a very impressive display on the roundabout itself.

Did anyone used to shop at Rostance's, in Oxton Road. The shop is long gone, but the building is still.

One of the funniest things I remember about the shops in the 1960s was that there was always a Hobby Shop, which specialised in American construction kits which were not widely available in other shops. However, the shop used to move round the town, and appeared on Grange Road West, Oxton Road and Borough Road. Obviously, they used to get the shops on short-term leases!

Was it, maybe, this? (Although this doesn't show the market at St.Werburgh's Square)

I remember Pykes the Jewellers. My Husband bought my engagement ring from there in 1975 and we still have the receipt.
dereckdwc the photo's you posted on reply 361125 27/10/2009. The first photo reminds me of dashing through a shortcut off Borough Road to get to work of a morning; that brings back memories.

It certainly looks like the document I saw, although it seems a bit more refined. Looking at the date on the document you have (1947), it may be that what I saw were some of the proposals put forward in the preliminary draught, and some changes were made between then and the final publication in 1947. However, even according to the map above, the Market was to be sited between Claughton Road and Oliver Street, so the intention to move it was certainly around at the time.

Hi, Tom; it's quite possible that what you saw was a precursor of the 1947 plan. Any chance of you going back to the library for another look? I'd do it myself, but I don't come up often.

I'll see what I can do, but with the recent attempts to close down the branch, I'm not sure that the document wasn't moved elsewhere.

Try the archive at Cheshire lines