Blackler's

[julia]

Does anyone have any photos of the inside of Blackler's (Anytime before it became Wetherspoon's)?

[victorialush]

Found an old postcard :)

http://website.lineone.net/%7Edebbiehistory/Postcards/WebGifs/BlacklersF.gif

[victorialush]

Bid on a plastic bag on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-1980s-Carrier-Bag-from-Blacklers-in-Liverpool_W0QQitemZ9509616372QQcategoryZ60824QQcmd ZViewItem#ebayphotohosting)

http://i11.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/d5/f1/b2_1_b.JPG

[victorialush]

http://magicalbeatletours.com/liv0226.gtour19.blacklers.jpg

[Kev]

Bid on a plastic bag on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-1980s-Carrier-Bag-from-Blacklers-in-Liverpool_W0QQitemZ9509616372QQcategoryZ60824QQcmd ZViewItem#ebayphotohosting)

http://i11.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/d5/f1/b2_1_b.JPG

Cool :celb (23):The rocking horse has been mentioned somewhere.....

[victorialush]

Cool :celb (23):The rocking horse has been mentioned somewhere.....

Blackie :D

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40626000/jpg/_40626297_rocking.jpg

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/liverpoollife/exhibitions/blackers/graphics/small/blacklersrockinghorse.jpg

[julia]

I found this a few months back on Blackler's Grotto:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/videonation/2005/blacklers_grotto/index.shtml

There's a video on the above page which includes some black and white photos of the Grotto.

Got me interested in seeing more of the inside.

[lindylou]

So many people have memories of Blacklers. It was a great store - you could get good bargains there.

[sweetpatooti]

Remember the giant Fathr Christmas over the stairs - and wincyette underskips - salmon pink interlock bellywarmers (big knickers) - great grotto at Christmas - I got the net curtains for my first house there - ahh!

[Kev]

Here's a pic of the interior in all its glory - Source: Liverpool Records Office

[Lady]

Sorry No Pics,

But i used to love mooching around in the basement, got loads of bargains, :handclap:

Always bought my American Tan tights there........40 denier.... :eek: :eek:

Jacky :)

[xkopite]

It was a great store, always bought my daughters Christmas books there.
My mum used to take me for my school uniform for Webster Road School in the 60,s
Always went to the grotto and get your piccy taken.

[PhilipG]

Found an old postcard :)

http://website.lineone.net/%7Edebbiehistory/Postcards/WebGifs/BlacklersF.gif

The original Blacklers was opened in 1908, but was completely destroyed in the May 1941 blitz.
It had been designed by W Aubrey Thomas, the architect of the Royal Liver Building and the Tower Building.

[Ged]

Yep, and the basement was deliberately flooded during the war to enable city centre water supplies.

[billo]

I'm almost positive that this is Blackler's Grotto, I think I have a photo of me with a monkey there as well....difficult to tell which is which, I think this one with me is my brother :D

[floyd]

Billo, you haven't changed a bit!

My OH found this stuffed down the back off one of the skirting boards he was ripping off before we get the plastering done.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/i-like-pies/DSC00209.jpg

He also found an old 2d bus ticket and a hapenny :handclap:

[Norm NZ]

Yep, and the basement was deliberately flooded during the war to enable city centre water supplies.

I well remember that blitz! and the destruction of the store, but they did carry on trading by occupying a number of shops in Bold St.

[gregs dad]

haven`t any inside pics but here is one taken at xmas time in
1958 www.flickr.com/photos/exacta2a/433711633
gregsdad

[Scouse Greg]

Hey Dad don't you ever stop promoting your Flickr site?:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

[PhilipG]

Hey Dad don't you ever stop promoting your Flickr site?:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Greg, your dad is one of my favourite Liverpool photographers of all time.
It's great that he's sharing his photos.
You must be so proud.

[Ged]

Is that you Joe. Well in :thumbsup:

[Scouse Greg]

Greg, your dad is one of my favourite Liverpool photographers of all time.
It's great that he's sharing his photos.
You must be so proud.

And here's me..... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/exacta2a/1042755242/)

[gregs dad]

thanks ged and philip g
gregs dad

[Ken Berry]

Hi All,Incredible I have been looking for Blacklers all Night as I wanted to get the name of the big Butchers Shop opposite.I can just remember my Mum crying as Dad was a butcher and got a job there 1936.Then the Grottos came up.T.J.Hughes had a good grotto first year after the war.I remember it well.They had a Magiciam there and he had a 10 shilling note in his hand and he put a match to it.As it burnt up he started to rub the ash in the palms of his hands.There was nothing left and the ash he blew aside,He got a piece of newspaper the same size as the 10 shilling note and set that on fire,rubbing it as it burnt away.This time he kept rubbing the ash and Lo and Behold he had the 10 shilling note back with the same number.This little smart a--- got home took a 10 shilling note out of Mums purse.Box of matches off the stove and into the toilet down the back yard.I had just about run out of "Echo" squares of toilet paper when the toilet door opened and it was Dad.I got a few belts with the cane mainly for stealing the 10 shilling note out of Mums purse.It took a few years to find out he had a false thumb cap which he used for the paper and 10 shilling note.Blacklers Grotto 'Pressies were always best I thought.If anyone can remember the name of the Butchers as they had a big photo of the staff lined up outside and my Dad is in the Photo.Taken just before the war.Best Regards to one and all Ken B

[kevin]

My mate Norman was in heaven when they had a lingerie sale - he'd spend hours browsing. Never bought anything, mind!

[Ged]

Ah, that'll be the fella that was 'Norma' at weekends ;)

[kevin]

Ah, that'll be the fella that was 'Norma' at weekends ;)

That creates a scary mental image that will require a few large ones to dispel, if I'm to sleep tonight!

[Ged]

Hope I haven't got my knickers in a twist there Kevin.


My mate used to tell me he'd rush home from work every day and rip his wife's panties off - now make of that what you will :)

[kevin]

Hope I haven't got my knickers in a twist there Kevin.


My mate used to tell me he'd rush home from work every day and rip his wife's panties off - now make of that what you will :)


And it's probably just as well I said a couple of large one instead of a couple of stiff ones.

[potter]

I say Ged, it was my sister's knickers (as I'm not married yet) I couldn't wait to rip off after a hard day at the office (sic) they didn't half pinch me p****:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

[Ged]

Ooh Matron. :002:

[Famous Scouser]

George Harrison worked at Blacklers.:PDT11

[Ged]

Yes, as an apprentice electrician in 1959.

[burkhilly]

I used to love Blacklers when I was a kid. Loved the rocking horse and always had a ride. I was only ever interested in going to the basement as this was where everything interesting appeared to be.

I remember going in to Blacklers just before it closed for good. The clothes etc were really old fashioned - I suspect Blacklers didn't keep up with the times and this was one of the reasons it eventually closed. Still wonderful memories from childhood!

[M6AJJ]

Absolutely right, everything of any interest to a little, and then not so little lad was always in the basement, from toys in the early days, to stationary, and then records.

Great shop!

[Ken Berry]

:rolleyes:
I can remember a lingerie sale at Blacklers 12th,July 1953.Norma(N) missed that one.One of the poor girl Models,stretched her arms and the bra hooks what ever gave way and the bra shot of in front of her by about 6ft.She was in the reds colours immediately and off that catwalk Faster than Jimmy Payne.Some one please try to get the name of that big butchers shop opposite Please.Best Regards Ken B

[gregs dad]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/433711633_2d9656a097_o.jpg
Blacklers at Xmas 1958, I think I have posted it before,this is for the benifit of any one who hasn`t seen it

[irishseashipping.com]

Always remember that animated "sputnik" on the roof at the Elliot St end when I was a youngster in the 60s. Didn't realise it was there as far back as 1958, the year before I was born.

I presumed it had made an appearance during the early 60s when the space - race took off.

Or was it always meant to represent the "Star of Bethlehem"?

John

[quincyg]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/433711633_2d9656a097_o.jpg
Blacklers at Xmas 1958, I think I have posted it before,this is for the benifit of any one who hasn`t seen it

great pic :handclap:

fella front left looks like the Strand Man

[burkhilly]

God that picture took me back to my childhood 60s/70s - just as I remember Blacklers.

[essexscouse]

I'm almost positive that this is Blackler's Grotto, I think I have a photo of me with a monkey there as well....difficult to tell which is which, I think this one with me is my brother :D

I think your right co s i got a similar photo of my brother and cousin in same situ and we always went there at xmas

Does anybody remember the sputnik lit up on the roof?