Ranelagh Street 1965

[Colin Wilkinson]

In my list of Liverpool ‘grot spots’, this corner of Ranelagh Street would be near the top (along with the rest of the block along Lime Street). My reaction, though, is generated by the lack of care and maintenance rather than the intrinsic quality of the architecture. In fact, looking at how the building was [...]

More... (http://streetsofliverpool.co.uk/ranelagh-street-1965/)

[pablo42]

Nice one Colin. I always thought that had always been the Army and Navy stores.

[George]

Thats where me Ma used to take me,to by me skiddies for after school use.

[Ged]

It was Kumar Bros in the 70s/80s

[gregs dad]

Nice one Colin. I always thought that had always been the Army and Navy stores.
We had 2 army and navy stores Pablo, one in Byrom St and a smaller one on Walton Rd

[Ged]

There was one in Whitechapel too wasn't there Joe, further on from the Spanish house? I seem to remember getting my borstal breakout black plimsols from there with the shiny rubber toecaps in the early 70s.

I believe the Byrom st one changed from one side of the street to the other. Got a pic of the one by St. Stephens church.

[hmtmaj]

Hey, we had an Army and Navy in Old Swan too, in the old Curzon Cinema... so there :PDT10

[scouse smurf]

Wasn't there one opposite central station ? and it's probably my mine playing tricks on me but I've got a memory of one in waterloo too

[dazza]

Great image Colin. Thanks again.

"Grot-spots". At least that original gin palace, The Vines, would lessen the pain of looking at such an eyesore? Well, at least, after a couple of glasses, no doubt?

[GNASHER]

Some of you 'old' ones seem to be getting 'The Army and Navy Stores' mixed up with 'The Famous Army Stores'.

[wsteve55]

Some of you 'old' ones seem to be getting 'The Army and Navy Stores' mixed up with 'The Famous Army Stores'.

Ahh,that's true,thinking the same myself!

[wsteve55]

Hi Colin,
any idea of what was there,or pic's of that corner,previously?

[scouse smurf]

Some of you 'old' ones seem to be getting 'The Army and Navy Stores' mixed up with 'The Famous Army Stores'.

I assumed they rebranded or something

[Ged]

Here's the corner in 1952 showing the temporary shops and walk through. The original corner was bombed during the war along with nearby Lewis's and BLacklers.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9182/ranelaghstreettempshops.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/ranelaghstreettempshops.jpg/)


.

[ItsaZappathing]

Here's the corner in 1952 showing the temporary shops and walk through. The original corner was bombed during the war along with nearby Lewis's and BLacklers.


Nice one Ged, cracker pic Colin. Good info folks!:PDT11

[essexscouse]

Wasnt Graham Souness first wife daughter of the founder/owner of famous army stores?
Remember it well used to buy sidebag for school books and of course the army surplus jackets which were popular late sixties

[George]

You guys are wrong this WAS an Army&Navy shop for some years,hence why I said this is where I got me skiddies from...skiddies being ex-army boots.

[GNASHER]

No one said it wasn't.

[George]

We had 2 army and navy stores Pablo, one in Byrom St and a smaller one on Walton RdWrong we had four,there was one in Williamson Square & the biggest one on Ranelagh Street,later which all became the Famouse Army Stores.

[essexscouse]

Famous Army Stores Ltd. was a major independent retailer of camping equipment, outdoor clothing footwear and army supplies. It was based in Garston, Liverpool, and was a chain of 200 stores with a turnover of £50 million. While it in administration, the then Directors Graham Smith, Steve Jowitt, John Nash and Keith Murray tried to buy the company, submitting the highest offer and trying to keep most of the chain. However, the preferred bidder and eventual owner, Blacks Leisure Group (Blacks), the company's arch enemy, acquired 47 stores and all of the stock. While Blacks retained all of the staff from the 47 stores, most of the managers left the business as the stores' brands were changed to Millets or Blacks.

[wsteve55]

Here's the corner in 1952 showing the temporary shops and walk through. The original corner was bombed during the war along with nearby Lewis's and BLacklers.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9182/ranelaghstreettempshops.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/ranelaghstreettempshops.jpg/)


.

That's a fab pic' Ged,any of the previous buildings?

[ItsaZappathing]

You guys are wrong this WAS an Army&Navy shop for some years,hence why I said this is where I got me skiddies from...skiddies being ex-army boots.

You tell it the way it is George:PDT11

[George]

You tell it the way it is George

Sad really most the street ressies used to know I was out and about in the street cos they could here me walking up or down the street...cliclk,click,click. pmsl

[Kev]

Shows Lynn's Waterloo Hotel, Ranelagh Street 1867. Courtesy LRO.

[underworld]

And here is how it was in 1915 from one of my coloured post cards.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4282184915_5d9c6a6cbb_b.jpg

[pablo42]

Great pictures guys.

[Colin Wilkinson]

Thanks Underworld - but this view must be pre-1907 (which was when the Vines was built).

[dazza]

Image 1) Aldephi demolition 1912
Image 2) Ranelagh Street, Edward Chambre Hardman photo, 1940's.jpg
Image 3) Lewis's 1956.jpg
Image 4) Lewis's shopfront, Ranelagh Street, 1900.jpg
Image 5) Great Charlotte Street, 1961.jpg
Image 6) Lewis's from Great Charlotte Street, 1937.jpg

All images from LRO collections. Downloaded off search archive.

[az_gila]

....Image 3) Lewis's 1956.jpg
......
All images form LRO collections. Downloaded off search archive.

OK... I thought "Nobby" was an original statue on Lewis's - but he's not there in 56.

When did he get added to the building?

The facade looks naked (pun intended...:)...) without him.

[dazza]

OK... I thought "Nobby" was an original statue on Lewis's - but he's not there in 56.

When did he get added to the building?

Nobby's official name is Liverpool Resergent

Unveiled [no pun intended] on 20th November, 1956. The statue was commissioned in 1954 by the director's of Lewis's dept. store to symbolise 'the struggle and determination of Liverpool to rehabilitate itself after the grim, destructive blitz years'. (Evening Express, 20 November 1956).

The sculptor was Sir Jacob Epstein.

[George]

The statue didn't get added till 57 as Lewises store was getting renovated in 56.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2010/02/23/lewis-s-closure-brings-end-to-colourful-history-100252-25892560/



Sheeesh!Amatuers. :slywink:

[gregs dad]

The Army and Navy stores I referred to only sold the forces surplus when I were a lad. The beds in our house all had army blankets and
were covered with a Royal Navy eiderdown which was embroidered with a large anchor in blue and white, the price of this I remember as 12/6.
In 1955 I was sent on an outward bound course and was rigged out with boots,wet gear,pullovers ,and a German airforce coat, all for £4/10 shillings from Byrom St.

[az_gila]

The statue didn't get added till 57 as Lewises store was getting renovated in 56.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2010/02/23/lewis-s-closure-brings-end-to-colourful-history-100252-25892560/



Sheeesh!Amatuers. :slywink:

OK... I'll be an amatuer...:)

You (and the article) said renovated, but did the building look similar before 1956, or was the "renovation" more of a "rebuild"?

Since I was only 8 at the time of the photo, I don't remember Lewis's very well. My parents didn't let me go alone to town until I was 11 or so.

[George]

The Army and Navy stores I referred to only sold the forces surplus

Yep,they all sold those,they also sold boot,socks,belt webbing,those back packs yer don't see anymore,ground bedding...in fact they sold everything that was forces related except Tanks and Missiles :)

[George]

I ain't got a clue but I'm thinking renovation of the interior? becasue the fifth floor was closed and never used again hence the find of the 1950's style artwork that adorned the 5th floor.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2007/07/06/lewis_fifth_floor_feature.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/image_galleries/lewis_fifth_floor_gallery.shtml

[George]

Some history here....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/localhistory/discover/the_places/

[dazza]

The statue didn't get added till 57 as Lewises store was getting renovated in 56.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2010/02/23/lewis-s-closure-brings-end-to-colourful-history-100252-25892560/

Sorry George, The Echo have got their facts wrong. It was 1956, not 1957.

"Liverpool Resurgent" was unveiled by F.J. Marquis, First Baron Woolton, President of Lewis's Investment Trust, Tuesday 20 November 1956. An article in the Evening Express also appeared that same day.

Source: Public Sculpture of liverpool by Terry Cavanagh.

[George]

Jesus! how much sourcing must one do to convince the amatuers. sheeeesh!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/liverpool/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8528000/8528206.stm


I can give another source stating 1957 if yer like?

[George]

Found this pic here chaps.....

[dazza]

Jesus! how much sourcing must one do to convince the amatuers. sheeeesh!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/liverpool/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8528000/8528206.stm

I can give another source stating 1957 if yer like?

Play the movie on the news report. About 1.40 in, the reporter says it was unveiled in 1956.

[dazza]

Unveiled in 1956.

From Lewis's own website.

http://www.lewissliverpool.co.uk/content/HistoryFuture

[George]

Here it is when it was bombed in 45....

[George]

But can you get info as to where it was unveild? it might of been unveild in the workshop or inside Lewsis's...unveilrd doen't necessary mean over the doors.

I've got bored with this now so lets beg to differ.

[dazza]

Ok George. :)

[George]

Ok George.

No problem.

But I have known sculptors to unveil their work in their workshop at a private gathering of the person who's commisioned the sculpture.

[Davec]

from the LRO's online catalogue a 1927 shot, never seen Renshaw St. anything like this before.....

http://archive.liverpool.gov.uk/dserve.exe?&dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqSearch=((text)='church')&dsqPos=2951

[az_gila]

My original comment was set off by how "naked" (pun intended...:)...) the store front looked without Dickie (or Nobbie)...

The statue really enhances the street view.

[underworld]

Thanks Underworld - but this view must be pre-1907 (which was when the Vines was built).

Maybe the postcard was old before it was used Colin. That probably is right as they widely introduced black and white real photo cards in 1908. Thanks Colin.

[Quentin_Sharples]

Some photos here that I've not seen before. :handclap:

George, I think your photo in post #42 must be during the rebuilding.
There is a famous one showing the bomb damage, but this isn't it.

I'm intrigued by the one dated 1927.
Lewis's seems much smaller than it should be, but it must be an optical illusion because Jacob's in the distance places what we're seeing is indeed Renshaw Street.

The shops before Lewis's would be where Kelly's was built after the war.
(It was Rapid's paint shop in the 1980s/90s, and is due for demolition, I think.)

[pablo42]

Nice one Quentin.

[Davec]

Some photos here that I've not seen before. :handclap:

George, I think your photo in post #42 must be during the rebuilding.
There is a famous one showing the bomb damage, but this isn't it.

I'm intrigued by the one dated 1927.
Lewis's seems much smaller than it should be, but it must be an optical illusion because Jacob's in the distance places what we're seeing is indeed Renshaw Street.

The shops before Lewis's would be where Kelly's was built after the war.
(It was Rapid's paint shop in the 1980s/90s, and is due for demolition, I think.)

I agree on al points QS, it took me some time to get my bearings, I thought at first glance it was a scene from the other end of Renshaw St. - towards St. Luke's.
The last 4 letters of Lewis's can be seen just above the front of the car facing us.
On the extreme left of the photo there are some railings which I'm assuming are in front of a church, does anyone know what the name of the church was? My little 1906 OS map shows a church with a school in the grounds, but no names. The entrance could be in Cropper Street.

[Colin Wilkinson]

The church is Newington Chapel - built in 1777 and modified in 1820 (to add a Gothic facade). A rather plain building, it was sold to the German Evangelical congregation and became known as the German Church. It was demolished in 1931.

[pablo42]

Nice one guys, I never knew any of this.

[George]

Hah if you look post 27 by underworld it shows Jacovs as it was in 1915.

So this might be the old store?

[Ged]

The church is Newington Chapel - built in 1777 and modified in 1820 (to add a Gothic facade). A rather plain building, it was sold to the German Evangelical congregation and became known as the German Church. It was demolished in 1931.

An LRO pic of this is on my site but it's on their online catalogue.

[Quentin_Sharples]

Somebody asked if the school (in Renshaw Street) had anything to do with the church (originally facing Cropper Street), but I can't find the post.
Do I delete my answer if the question's been deleted?

I've just looked at the 1906 OS map and the school is physically attached to the church.
It must be said though that it's extremely small.
Street directories will confirm the name of the school.
There's nothing new about "Faith Schools".

[dazza]

from the LRO's online catalogue a 1927 shot, never seen Renshaw St. anything like this before.....

http://archive.liverpool.gov.uk/dserve.exe?&dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqSearch=((text)='church')&dsqPos=2951

Renshaw Street, the same year, 1927, but viewed from the opposite direction to the image in the above link. Unfortunately, the church can't be seen, as it was set back from the road.

[Ged]

Renshaw st German church in 1931

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/6076/renshawstgermanchurch19.jpg (http://img527.imageshack.us/i/renshawstgermanchurch19.jpg/)

Renshaw St unitarian chapel which only existed between 1811 and 1899

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4011/renshawstunitarianchape.jpg (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/renshawstunitarianchape.jpg/)


.

[dazza]

'Independent Chapel', Renshaw Street, is shown, but without School.

http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab174/dal8077/RenshawSt.jpg

[dazza]

Great pics Ged. I was thinking that it couldn't have a tower, based on the floor plan given on the map.

[Quentin_Sharples]

Thanks Ged.
Your first photo is the one on the Kelly's site.
New to me.
It shows just how small the school was.

The second photo shows the site where Central Hall would be built (opened 1905).
William Roscoe is buried here.
Note the Shaftesbury Hotel.