Jump to content

The Woolworth building, what was there before?


Recommended Posts

There were two 'Woolies' on Haymarket. The old one can been seen in this 1940s photo..

 

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/zoom.pl?picture=http://www.picturesheffield.com/jpgh/s00006.jpg

 

..just past the True-Form shoe shop. A little beyond it, on the other side of Dixon lane, is the front of the old Market Hall.

 

The later store was built on the site of the demolished Market Hall, not sure exactly when - early 1960s ? and is now occupied by Wilkinsons.

 

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/zoom.pl?picture=http://www.picturesheffield.com/jpgh/s16969.jpg

 

Incidently - the Maket Hall was built on the site of the old Tontine Inn.

 

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/zoom.pl?picture=http://www.picturesheffield.com/jpgh/s22449.jpg

 

I remember that too. Wasn't Woolworth where the now empty British Home Stores were built? I remember Woolworth having the overhead system for sending money to the cashiers. Lamson Paragon?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the “new” Woolworths building must have opened in 1974-75 as I remember where I was working at the time (at the Midland Bank, now the Bankers Draft). The store was opened by Hughie Green, and he arrived late. As it was a rainy morning the manager decided to let the crowd of shoppers in at 9 o’clock sharp. About ten minutes later Hughie Green’s car arrived and I saw him get out, raise both arms in the air and shout “Good morning!”. Someone next to me shouted back “Good afternoon”..:hihi:

 

Another “celebrity opening” was that of Tesco in Bradfield Road, Hillsborough a few years earlier. It was opened by Bob Monkhouse, and oddly enough, the building is now another branch of Wilkinsons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree the BHS does look all forlorn and withdrawn. A good building going to waste.

 

Ive took a lot of photos recently of abandoned sheffield buildings (bhs included) so might post the link at some point.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

My mother worked in the cafeteria in the 1930's, washing up and scrubbing floors - very hard work especially on footy days - all fans clamoured for a meal before the match.

 

Anyone else got ancestors who worked there? names that come to mind - Dolly, Mary Beaumont who maybe went to live in Ireland?

 

Any one got any more pictures of the 'old woolies' ?

 

My mothers name was Cecilia Franchetti - also known as Betty

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you went into Woolie's by the front entrance, walked thr'o the store, to your left halfway along, were some steps. Down the steps brought you out into Dixon Lane. Across the lane was the Norfolk Market. If you went into the market from the front, immediatly to your right was a secondhand bookstall and then a cutlery stall, or the other way around, I'm not sure about that. Both of them fascinated me as a kid. The whole area was brilliant, the smell of the market, slipping and sliding on the discarded fruit down Dixon Lane, the Rag and Tag. I don't know whats there now, I still see it like it was.

 

hya the norfolk market hall had four entrances being 1 haymarket 2 dixon lane

3 exchange st 4 bottom side from wholsale market(I remember when i was small i didn't like this last one it had a lot of steps).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I recall Woolies in the 50s being opposite the bottom of King St next to what is now, according to Google Earth, the Yorkshire Bank, or is that is what is being said? I can recall buying my first record player from Canns music shop when I was 14 (1961) thought it was really flash! I think my first record was 'Runaway' by Del Shannon! When I visit Sheffield in my liveaboard narrow boat I will have to re-acquaint myself with it all. When I left Sheffield in '66 Sheffield Basin was a far cry from what is there now!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Tontine Hotel was built on this site in 1785,it was the largest coaching inn in the area.It had stabling for sixty horses a brewery and cottages for staff.It was demolished in 1850 by the Duke of Norfolk,he then built the Norfolk Markets on this site.In 1960 the markets were demolished and the department store built.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.