Here’s an old shop sign that’s been revealed in the last few days.
The shop in question was last used as Chris Cain Hairdressing (nr top of Manor Road) and is soon to be a photographic and arts studio. Prior to that I seem to remember it was Laurence Jones undertakers for several years.
But evidently at one point the shop was owned by the Cooperative Group. Sheila Saunders has emailed me and says that someone else suggests the old shop was a butchers?
Know any more? And if you happen to have a photo that’d be ace!
It was the Coop butchers and was run for quite a long time by Steve Parr who was previously the Butcher t the top of Melrose Avenue now the Everite windows.
Hi Jackie do you know any more info on the ‘butchers’ on melrose ave particularly the building itself or previous business names it might have occupied any help would be massively appreciated.
Thanks Ben
I used to work
there at the coop
Was it run by Steve Parr ?
Yes,it was the coop butchers,I used to go there for my nan,and get a sheep’s head,
To make broth,
Dave
I agree it was the Co-op butchers. But didn’t know Steve Parr had run it.
Was this the only location for the co-op over the years? My late wife’s uncle worked at the co-op after the War till 1952, then moved to Canada.
During the war and for some time after, There was a Co-op that sold all forms of food on the corner of Market Street and Wood Street. It later became and ironmongers. During the period of rationing, which ended for most food in 1952 and you could only go to the grocer/butcher etc with whom you were registered. In that Co-op they had the cash-desk in an office raised above the centre of the back of the shop connected to the sales points by a wire along which a small container would shoot carrying you money and the small receipts. It would come back with your change and one copy of the receipt.
Yes there was the small Coop at the corner of Wood St facing Market st Miss Bridden worked on the bread and cake counter. Opposite would bê the bacon counter. Further down in the shop would be general provisions. The dividend was in operation then and everyone had a dividend ID (5 numbers). Every quarter you would go to the office around the corner in wood St and collect your dividend savings. I suppose it’s like Tesco points nowadays. There was also a dairy in Wood St where a Miss Barker worked.. This I remember from 1952 to 1954/5.
When you paid for your groceries I remember the money was put in a container which was then attached to the pulley, which then travelled along to an office where your dividend number would be recorded and any change that you might have would be returned via the pulley system. All seems rather tedious but I guess it was efficient enough at the time.
When supermarkets came into vogue the Coop at the corner of Alderley Rd next to Martins Bank became its successo (1958-60?)
Richard- there was a Co-op grocery store/supermarket at the other end of the village, opposite the top of Alderley Road. Possibly where Wetherspoons is now. They employed quite a few staff.
Hi Sue,
I remember there being another Co-op grocery store on Market Street in the block between Cable Road and Albert Road. It had two separate entrances, and one cashier in a raised office at the back, who received payments by means of little cups on a wire sent from the counter. I remember some years later it was a motor bike sale room.
you are quite right mike about the co op site, a lady called Kathleen worked up in the cashiers office
does any one remember their dividend number?
There was also the Co-Op opposite Jesse Bird’s and the Ship Inn, which was closed down in early 60s? Also there was a butcher’s shop next to Bradley’s outfitters on the Birkenhead Rd. My mother worked there in the 30s and the proprietor’s surname was Fraser.
Hi Rose.,
I want to reply to you about Barry Salmon, I went to school with his sister Jill, we sat together and were
friends. Barry was due to marry Helen Stanley but just before the wedding he met and married someone
else! Poor Helen was devastated. Caused quite an uproar in Hoylake.
Sandra. When Was The post about Salmons that you replied to. Can’t see it but have replied.
THE CO-OP ALSO HAD A BREAD AND CAKE SHOP ON THE CORNER OF NEWTON RD. & MARKET ST.
THE BREAD WAS BAKED IN BIRKENHEAD AND DELIVERED BY A STEAM LORRY ,.IN THE 1940,S
WE LIVED 11 NEWTON RD. AT THE TIME ,AND MY GRAND DAD ARTHUR PEERS GOT THE JOB OF PAINTING THE SHOP FRONT AND THE CAST IRON VARANDA AT THE FRONT OF THE SHOP
THE CO-OP WONTED A WOOD GRAIN FINISH “,POOR “POP” HAD TO DO THE GRAIN EFFECT BY HAND IT WAS A VERY LONG JOB !!!!!1
I remeber the Kwik Save on market Street.
Sue Vine replies:
I remember that so well. Helen Stanley and me were bf at Meols school. She also moved to live in Alderley where I loved.
Recall Jill and Barry. Their Dad was a window cleaner.
hi sue,
do you know what happened to Helen? did she move away?
Sandra. I’ve not heard for many years. Last I heard and it was decades ago Helen was living otherwise of Liverpool. She was ill, I think with MS. But it’s so long ago, her Mum, Dorothy, told me. But I might be remembering it wrong. Do you remember her from Meols school as well.
Hi Sandra
Yes I remember when Barry Salmon was engaged to Helen Stanley and he ended up marrying someone else. I think shortly afterwards Helen met someone, married and had a family. I left Hoylake in 1970 and now live in Buckinghamshire, so was out of the loop with any other news there. I do remember you Sandra, you lived near the railway line in Charles Rd? My fried Barbara Jones lived over Waterworths so I was often around there. I also remember you going out with Pat Briers. My maiden name was Norman so you may remember me. My brother Harold lives in Birkenhead and is 75 now. He is fit and healthy and sometimes does Marathon walks for charity.. I am sure he remembers you, and I will mention you next time I see him.