THIS week we prepared photos from the collection to illustrate the 1950s high street.
Some readers may recall our exhibit four years ago when we invited locals for a stroll down 1950s high street, recreated by a series of pictures in the Guildhall.
Some of these have been shared online and we have heard from a number of locals who remembered their memories of the various shops from that time, many of which were household names.
One lady commented that the Shuter and Flays grocery store was a family favorite: “My mother-in-law used to shop there. Customers could sit on a high stool while the saleswoman picked up their order from all areas of the store. Then it is packaged for the customer or even delivered free of charge. ”
Another long-time frequenting Worcester High Street was Bobby’s department store on the site of the former Debenhams building, which many people had fond memories of, including the toy department: “It was a great store. Bought a Dalek and Thunderbird 3 there, c1966 ”.
The high street has also been home to a variety of fashion and shoe stores, including Freeman Hardy Willis, True Form, and Werffs of Bond Street.
One person recalls: “We used to call it Freeman Hardy and Cardboard. I still couldn’t wait to storm in on a Friday and spend some money! ”
Another remembered how he had liked to buy a sun dress with a double round skirt from Werff.
There was entertainment next to a cream cake in the Cadena, where a string orchestra played, often accompanied by singers.
At the other end of the street was Spark’s music store, which several people recall, “went to Sparks on Saturdays to catch the latest records in the tiny booths at the back of the store.”
Thank you to everyone who shared their memories – we always love to hear them.
If you’d like to view these photos, or even add your own, they’re now available at kypworcester.org.uk.
You can now also create your own personal, private life story through the new NHS hosted Life Stories platform https://life-stories.hacw.nhs.uk/.
Worcester Life Stories is a community project that brings local people together through shared stories of the city of Worcester. It is jointly managed by Dr. Natasha Lord, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Sheena Payne-Lunn, Worcester City Council, managed and funded thanks to the National Lottery players.
For more information or to share your stories, visit wocesterlifestories.org.uk, our Facebook page or Twitter @worlifestories.
You can also email Worcesterlifestories@gmail.com or call 01905 721133.
And why not visit the We grew up in Worcester page on Facebook?