Use to be 79-81 Victoria Road and I believe it was closed by the mid 1960s
Couldn't be the mid sixties Paul. I had a few drinks there after 68. Threlfalls (Whitbread) if memory serves or could have been Birkenhead brewery? I can remember being in there one night and the snow came down thick and fast. Toilets were out the back and walking out into the snow for a pee was novel. No I didn't write my name in the snow with yellow ink!
American bingo looks a lot smaller than when I knew it. Suppose everything does now we are older. The Hammer family owned it. Cockerney's. Used to give away massive big cakes every year on their anniversary of opening I think?
Sayers, had an aunt who worked there for many years. Manager I think?
Haven't got any more photo's of that area have you? The Maypole is just out of shot and I worked there as an order boy. Bloody bike was much bigger than me as well.
The only other one I can find of this bit of Victoria Road is this one - you can just make out the Maypole beyond the N.B. Home supplies shop nearest the camera.
Thanks for that, fabulous. Ashamed to say I don't remember New Brighton home supplies and I thought I knew everything about the area. Just about see Barclays bank and the Maypole doorstep I mopped every night. Fresh sawdust on the floor as well. Gribbons the greengrocers VW in the background if memory serves me correctly?
Edit: Correction, Skillicorns greengrocers not Gribbons which was on the other side until he moved up and across the road on the corner of Grosvenor.
Yes indeed, a great blast from the past. I remember my Dad telling me that he (born and bred in Wallasey) saw his first "talkie" at the Troc (on the LH side)!
Trying to date the pic. Only real clue is the split windscreen (?) VW. Late '50's early 60's ?? The tram wire side arm brackets are still in situ but trendy "modern" flourescents are planted on the opposite side.
The 1970s would start to see the decline in Victoria Road as far as being highly commercial with the fall in both local and tourism trade. Most people either wanting to travel to town centres for shopping or, during the summer months, go on holiday abroad where the weather was more reliable. Many of the household names that generations had grown up with started to see these long established shops close.
The Royal Ferry Hotel would soon be transformed into a night club but during this time Leonard Patten was the licensee. Eric Rowlands was the manager of the Criterion, replacing Mr. G. Wilson, and Bob Collins Cafe was at No. 11. Sheffield Restaurant was at No. 17 with Mr. J. Jou the proprietor and sisters Christina and Jean Randles were licensee of the Ship Hotel until 1976 when Alan Smith then became the landlord. Continuing along we had Lawton Confectioners, Mrs Taylors Toy Shop and the long established Duffey Restaurant, owned by Reginald and Amelia Duffey who had been at No. 31 Victoria Road since the early 1920s when first opened by Mrs. Mary Duffey. Next door was Paddy's Cafe, then Europa Cafe under the management of Mr. Lee White. The Empress Snack Bar & Restaurant was once at No. 37 but by 1972 had become the Golden Sovereign which advertised the latest fruit machines, pin tables and children's rides. During the summer season the Golden Sovereign opened every day from 9am but in the winter only opened at the weekend. By the early 1970s Arnold Chadwick's Tobacconists had closed after more then 30 years of trading and the shop was replaced with Colley's Gift Shop. Next door was Edith Morris Drapers, then the New Delhi Restaurant with Tracadero Snack Bar on the corner of Albert Street with Edward Clark as the manager.
Woods Grocers once stood on the opposite corner of Albert Street in the late 1960s. Bohm Pork Butchers continued trading into the 1970s as well as Organ's Newsagents. Mack's Shoe Repairer was next door then Woolworths at No. 71-73, which had opened a store in Victoria Road in the early 1950s. The grocers Four Seasons was at No. 77 and Hammer's Amusements was at No. 83. Sayers had a shop at No. 85, the Wine & Spirits Co-Op was at No.89 and on the corner of Mason Street was Barclays Bank. All these buildings between Albert Street and Mason Street have since been demolished and new housing now occupies the site.
The Neptune Hotel stood on the opposite corner of Mason Street and John Holland was the landlord in the 1970s. The Neptune would later change it's name to Lacey's. As we move along up Victoria Road we had Henry Jones Bookmakers, Hardy's Jewellers, Grocery Co-Op and Silver Slipper Restaurant was at No. 111. E.Price Butchers was at No. 115 and Gribbon'a Fruiterers & Greengrocers was on the corner of Grosvenor Road.
Landlord of the Railway Hotel in the early 1970s was Thomas McCabe who left in 1980 and Ken Pickett became the new proprietor. Other shops included Guest the Butchers, Lillibet Children's Wear who were No. 125 and Cosmo Cafe was next door. Hutton had the newsagents and then there was Lune Cleaners. Further along was Chesters the electrical engineers. In the late 1960s Mr. Ashman was a Turf Commission Agent on the corner with Rowson Street. A Turf Commission Agent was someone who placed bets on behalf of owners or trainers with bookmakers.
Starting from the bottom end of Victoria Road, on the left hand side, was Wallasey Power Boat & Ski Club which had been Horton's Corner Shop. Brice the Caterers was at No.6 and next door was Samuel Worthington's Fancy Goods. At No. 10 was Maxim's Restaurant and further up the road was Gregon's Chemist. In the 1960's Kowloon Restaurant had been at No. 65 but in the early 1970s had moved to No. 28. It's neighbour was the long established Midland Cafe run by the Creedon family who had been trading in the resort since the 1930s. No. 38 was Albert Cox and his Fancy Goods shop and at No. 40 was George Stoneall Fishmongers who had been trading on Victoria Road for fifty years.
In 1966 Jardines Confectioners use to be on the corner of Belmont Road at No. 64 but moved by the 1970s to No. 70. Costigans were at No. 68. Cooke Chemist was on the corner of Richmond Street and Stubb's Hardware, who sold garden equipment, stood at No. 78 on the opposite corner. The confectioners Golden Tea Pot was next door. No. 84 was Dewhurst the butchers. Further along, after Windsor Street, was Kendall's newsagent then Peter Antoni's Hairdressers who also had an establishment in Seaview Road. Mr R. Wilberforce had the chemist and on the corner of Waterloo Road was New Brighton Taxi's.
The other side of Waterloo Road is the Post Office and next door was Band's Fruiterers and Greengrocers. Further along was another Fruiterers & Greengrocers - J.W Moss. The self service launderette, Benedix, was at No. 118 and on the corner of Rowson Street was the Midland Bank.
Yes indeed, a great blast from the past. I remember my Dad telling me that he (born and bred in Wallasey) saw his first "talkie" at the Troc (on the LH side)!
Trying to date the pic. Only real clue is the split windscreen (?) VW. Late '50's early 60's ?? The tram wire side arm brackets are still in situ but trendy "modern" flourescents are planted on the opposite side.
Same date as the first pic above, October 1959. I have a few more from the same period, including one of the Troc. Will post as soon as I can...
Paul, I don't know where that came from but there is so much wrong with it. It's as though the 1950's 60's and 70's have been jumbled together and the rest are guesses.
Paul, I don't know where that came from but there is so much wrong with it. It's as though the 1950's 60's and 70's have been jumbled together and the rest are guesses.
From a 1966 Directory and a 1973 Directory. I rather go with that info then your memory!
Paul, I don't know where that came from but there is so much wrong with it. It's as though the 1950's 60's and 70's have been jumbled together and the rest are guesses.
From a 1966 Directory and a 1973 Directory. I rather go with that info then your memory!
Well I was two thirds correct then. I said it was like the 60's and 70's mixed. I grew up there in the 50's and 60's and a little bit of the 70's. Worked on a lot of places in Viccy road as well. Saw the last film on the Troc ad infinitum.. Just to pick out a few my superb memory remembers (alzheimers permitting) . Wilberforce chemists were situated on the corner of Richmond street and in later years moved to Waterloo/Victoria road and Gribbons greengrocers were on the opposite corner. Skillicorns the greengrocers were between the York and Pat Macs I think? Gribbons moved across the road to the corner of Grosvenor in later years. Bohms the pork butchers (German) closed in the early sixties. Next to Chadwicks was Charlie and Pauline Cooks shop which sold fags, toys etc. Next to that was a rock shop. Melody inn milk bar and on the corner Clarkes chippy. Across Albert street on the other corner was a bombed site. Organs stores was Joe Newtons to the locals. Wallasey power boat and ski club was above Hortons, it did not replaced it. Originally the Avondale cafe where you could sit outside on the balcony. Reeces cafe above the Tivoli was the same. Stubbs hardware I don't remember although Betty Stubbs had a hardware shop in Egerton street for many years. The laundrette used Bendix machines but not sure if it was called anything but the laundrette. Besides the Midland bank there was also the District bank and another one whose name escapes me. Only one corner of Rowson street/Viccy road had no bank. Cosmo is correct, spent a lot of my time in there. Owned by a Mr Thompson whose son John became one of the dancers on TOTP amongst other things. Tobacconists shop with barbers at the back, name forgotten but a nasty man the barber. Guests butchers, Dewhursts butchers. Coop with three very large dining rooms above which in later years became the "Disco", knock on the back door and get a late drink.
Costigans, Maypole, American bingo, Buttercream shop. Stonalls fish shop, Rialto chippy, Pat Macs shoe shop, Duffy's (been on the roof when I was about six) Paddy's who also moved across the road, originally being where they built the last arcade in Viccy road. Eddie the echo man outside the railway. He worked for Harry Martin whose "depot" was across the road underneath where NB Taxis had their place. Toilets and tourist information next to the Avondale cafe with a shelter to get out of the rain to boot. Big chippy on corner of Virginia road whose name also escapes me. Brices cafe. Sheffield restaurant. Ferry hotel, Criterion, Ship, York, Neptune, Railway, Perch Rock, Commercial to name the pubs in order of coming up the road. There were three donkey stables in New Brighton. Charlie Cook had the deck chair contract. Tommy Davies had the paddle boats opposite the Tivoli. There was one of those big weighing machines just inside the palace fair.
Okay that's a bit of a mish mash but I am not going up and down Viccy road to try and remember every little thing. Suffice to say I knew New Brighton extremely well and have read many of the "history" books that continually get things wrong.
No offence to you Paul and you do a great job but over three decades it changed a hell of a lot and your earlier posting made it look as though that was all one year!
It is 1960s and 1970s - they were being compared from one decade to another. I thought that was clear. The part I have posted is from my site (there is more on the 19th Century, the 1920's and the 1930s) so I suspose my posting hasn't given the full picture.
For the feature I posted I took it from 1966 Directory, a 1972/73 Trade Directory and a electoral roll for 1976.
No offence Helles taken - not especially from you.
Not a double yellow line in sight! Brilliant photo's once again Marty. Don't know where you get them from?
Big clock over the Rialto chippy brings back memories. There was another over the Jewellers and one further up by the Post Office if I remember correctly.
The chippy was owned by the father of a lad I went to school with. Lloyd Christopherou (sp?) Greek of course and a nice family. That is Kendals newsagents next to it but for some reason it was known to us in our family as Tickles? Not sure what that shop on the other side of Windsor street is? Looks like a shoe shop possibly Panter Bricks the sign possibly says although I don't remember them being there. They had a big shop in Liscard road.
Morris or Austin Curry's van in Troc picture. Not a petrol head so not sure.
The shop on the corner of Windsor Street was Panters and then became Woolies not F.W Woolworth but woolies and they used to sell wool knitting patterns and some childrens clothes. Everybody keeps forgetting to mention Menswear which was a couple of doors away from Costigans opposite Sayers ran by a real gentlemen Gerry who up to last year was still living in New Brighton and he would always put clothes away for you till payday so you had the best gear on to go to the Penny or the Guinea or the Grand. Penny round collars Birmos and kipper ties,happy days oh yeah don't forget the Brut.
. Wilberforce chemists were situated on the corner of Richmond street and in later years moved to Waterloo/Victoria road and Gribbons greengrocers were on the opposite corner. Skillicorns the greengrocers were between the York and Pat Macs I think? Gribbons moved across the road to the corner of Grosvenor in later years. Bohms the pork butchers (German) closed in the early sixties. Next to Chadwicks was Charlie and Pauline Cooks shop which sold fags, toys etc. Next to that was a rock shop. Melody inn milk bar and on the corner Clarkes chippy. Across Albert street on the other corner was a bombed site. Organs stores was Joe Newtons to the locals. Wallasey power boat and ski club was above Hortons, it did not replaced it. Originally the Avondale cafe where you could sit outside on the balcony. Reeces cafe above the Tivoli was the same. Stubbs hardware I don't remember although Betty Stubbs had a hardware shop in Egerton street for many years. The laundrette used Bendix machines but not sure if it was called anything but the laundrette. Besides the Midland bank there was also the District bank and another one whose name escapes me. Only one corner of Rowson street/Viccy road had no bank. Cosmo is correct, spent a lot of my time in there. Owned by a Mr Thompson whose son John became one of the dancers on TOTP amongst other things. Tobacconists shop with barbers at the back, name forgotten but a nasty man the barber. Guests butchers, Dewhursts butchers. Coop with three very large dining rooms above which in later years became the "Disco", knock on the back door and get a late drink.
