Author Archives: buildingourpast

Spotting Historic Shopfronts: Baldock

Posted on September 6, 2018 by buildingourpast

A plum spot on the Great North Road meant that the small market town of Baldock in Hertfordshire became an ideal staging post for people journeying north from London. From the 17th century onwards it was chock-a-block with coaching inns, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion and Clothing, Grocers, Provision Dealers and Dairies, Spotter's Guides, Streetscape | Leave a comment

Spotting Historic Shopfronts: Cambridge

Posted on June 24, 2018 by buildingourpast

Cambridge is rich in historic shopfronts. Here are a few interesting examples to look out for on shopping trips in town! Two Art Nouveau Shopfronts from the 1920s Surprisingly, the elegant art nouveau shopfront at 21 Market Street, in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Chemists' Shops, Spotter's Guides, Streetscape | Leave a comment

Woolworth’s Architects

Posted on March 7, 2018 by buildingourpast

F. W. Woolworth landed on British soil with a group of hand-picked American managers in 1909 and promptly set about establishing a new chain of 3d. and 6d. stores. Suitable buildings were identified, converted and, if required, extended with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Woolworths | 2 Comments

Woolworth’s British Shopfronts

Posted on February 19, 2018 by buildingourpast

F. W. Woolworth & Co Ltd occupied a prominent spot on British High Streets for nearly a century, from 1909 until 2009. Beneath the red and gold signboard of the famous 3d and 6d stores, the form of the shopfront … Continue reading →

Posted in Woolworths | 3 Comments

Cooper’s Motor Mart (Cooper’s Studios)

Posted on December 27, 2017 by buildingourpast

Cooper’s Auction Yard (later Cooper’s Motor Mart) on Westgate Road in Newcastle-upon-Tyne was built for James Cooper (1849-1925). Cooper, the son of a harbour master from South Shields, set himself up as a horse dealer in the yard of the Crown … Continue reading →

Posted in Carscapes | 1 Comment

Macy’s Garage, Balderton Street, London

Posted on December 17, 2017 by buildingourpast

This historic garage can be found just off London’s bustling Oxford Street, opposite the main entrance to Selfridge’s department store. Built as Macy’s Garage in 1925-26, it was one of London’s most imposing car parks. Macy’s Garage was designed by … Continue reading →

Posted in London Car Parks | 2 Comments

The Electromobile Garage in Mayfair

Posted on December 6, 2017 by buildingourpast

The Electromobile Garage lies hidden behind the grand façades of Mayfair, in the guise of NCP Carrington Street. The building may have little architectural presence on the street front, but it played a fascinating role in the early motoring history of … Continue reading →

Posted in London Car Parks | 2 Comments

The Niagara Garage, Westminster

Posted on November 30, 2017 by buildingourpast

One of the most unusual garages in early 20th-century London was the Niagara Garage on York Street (now Petty France) in Westminster. This had been built as a panorama, and later used as an ice-skating rink. The building, described rather … Continue reading →

Posted in London Car Parks | 4 Comments

The Story of Dunn the Hatter

Posted on October 3, 2017 by buildingourpast

Introduction Dunn & Co. was the most recognisable chain of men’s hatters throughout the first three-quarters of the 20th century. By the late 1920s it was also a men’s outfitters. A failure to keep up with changing fashions – which … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion and Clothing | 159 Comments

The Story of “Easiephit”

Posted on September 9, 2017 by buildingourpast

“Easiephit” shoe shops closed decades ago, but traces of the house style can still be spotted. The inverted commas were an integral part of the name displayed on shops between the wars. The “Easiephit” brand of footwear was manufactured and … Continue reading →

Posted in Shoe Shops | 14 Comments