Chester Shops No Longer With Us Part 3

Right, where were we? I know we were talking about mens clothes shops no longer with us in Part 2. It seems that trying to remember the casual mens shop in Frodsham Street where Poundland is now is causing some head scratching. Over on the Next Door Neighbourhood forum there’s a thread discussing the topic. Some great suggestions but still no definitive confirmation of the shop’s name. I’ve even written to the Local Authority. About a couple of weeks ago I emailed the CWAC Heritage department. No response though. Anyway, on to other shops. So, what other Chester shops no longer with us can we recall?

Chester Shops No Longer With Us

There are so many really. The way the “For Rent” boards are going up there are new ones every week it seems. But that’s another story. And, of course, people’s memories are dependent on their age. No surprise there. As with the previous posts – Parts 1 and 2 (see the link to Memory Lane below, where you will see these posts among many others), those mentioned are my own recollections. So, it may well not be a definitive list. Just my humble memories.

Chester Shops No Longer With Us – The Larger Department Stores

It’s a bit surprising really to see the number of larger department stores no longer with us when you think about it. Owen Owen has already been mentioned in an earlier post. In that particular post the food section was mentioned and the fabulous aromas emanating from there. But Owen Owen was an all purpose department store where you could acquire a wide range of household goods.

A similar large department store has of course only fairly recently bitten the dust. British Home Stores in Foregate Street closed only two or three years ago. At the moment, the BHS site is a bit of a waste of space – literally. There are some interesting ideas knocking about as to how to utilise the current site. But again, this is another story for another post.

I had a spell where I used to have my lunch break from work in BHS now and then. In the days when they had the hairdressers right down the bottom end. The cafe did a pretty nifty baked tattie if I remember. Cheese and beans if you’re wondering.

Chester Shops No Longer With Us – Sports Gear And More

Who remembers Burrells? Also in Foregate Street. It was a huge shock when Burrells closed wasn’t it. A trip to Burrells was a regular trip for most youngsters back in the day. A great range of sports gear and school uniforms were prominent features. But what about the toys section? A great choice of toys.

My toys highlight? I got my first battery operated, talking Dalek. It was a black one. So, no ordinary Dalek. One of the top boys no less.

Burrells was indeed an enjoyable visit for many reasons. Now, I might be getting confused with Owen Owen but I also remember one of those stores used to stock a pretty nifty range of shirts. Not just any shirts though. No siree. I’m talking the ultimate, mens shirt. The creme de la creme in Saturday night dancing shirts of the time. Yes, you’ve probably guessed. Ben Sherman shirts.

Remember the TV advert?

“That’s a nice shirt sir” says the young lady to the smartly attired young man.

“Yes, it’s a Ben Sherman” came the reply.

All of my circle of pals at the time – and myself included – all wanted Ben Sherman shirts. There was a race to see who could get the first white Ben Sherman. If I remember rightly, they were £2.50 in Owen Owen (or was that Burrells? Memory blank – does anyone know for sure?).

Actually £2.50 was quite a lot of money in those days. But Ben Sherman shirts were The Biz. Buttoned down collar and a pleat down the back down the middle. Ben Sherman’s had a unique look and feel to them.

What Of The Other Large Stores?

I’m thinking Chester city centre and on the fringes as well. Texas Home Care on Sealand Road for instance. That was plumb on the site of Chester FC’s old stadium.

Cantors furniture shop in Northgate Street. I didn’t necessarily go shopping there myself (too young when I used to go there) but I remember being dragged there by my Dad.

Another furniture shop from not so long ago – Multiyork. Based on Pepper Street where there is now a whole row of eating places, it was a feature for many years.

C&A clothes shop on Foregate Street was another popular national store. By where Primark is now. Two storeys high, it had a large selection of clothes for both males and females. Not a Saturday night dancing shirt option though.

Chester Shops No Longer With Us – Sugar On Your Chips And Gravy Sir?

In Part 1 of this particular thread I mentioned a pal of mine having sugar on his chips and gravy. When, where and why? Firstly the when. Back in the day the ABC cinema was a popular stomping ground for all us youngsters. I’m talking about us kids about the age of 7 to 10 type of age range.

Where was the ABC? Of course, many won’t know as it’s been a gonna for many years. It was on the corner of Foregate Street and Love Street. If you want to know more about the ABC and the famed Saturday morning ABC Minors Club – have a look at this “When We Were Kids” post HERE.

Anyway, what about the sugar on the chips and gravy? Surely the ABC didn’t serve such a dish? Correct, they didn’t. But somewhere close by did.

After the ABC Minors Club on a Saturday morning a few of us used to head off to Woolworths (Woolies). In particular we used to go to the top floor cafe.

By the way, for some of the younger readers I’m not talking about Woolies when it was by where Primani is now. No, I’m talking about when Woolies was in Eastgate Street, by where Next is now.

As in this link HERE.

ABC Minors finished, then off to our Saturday morning treat. Chips and gravy in Woolies cafe. I seem to recall such a feast cost 9d. Yes, that’s right, 9d – not 9p. The princely sum of 9d was about 4.5p in today’s money. Oh, by the way you youngsters – there used to be a halfpenny not so long ago.

A pal of mine, as well as putting salt and vinegar on his chips and gravy, used to put sugar on as well. Was it a mistake? He said not. Strange how certain things stick in your mind. My lasting memory of Woolies will always be chips and gravy covered in sugar. Weird huh!!!

I’m Talking Broken Biscuits

Now, some that know me may say, so what’s new. No, only kidding.

What I mean about broken biscuits is reference to another large store no longer with us. Quaintways in Northgate Street. Above it was the Ship and Turtle pub – another old blast from the past mentioned in an earlier post.

The one thing I remembered most about Quaintways was the square, tin containers of biscuits. And more particularly the containers of broken biscuits. They were cheaper than ‘normal’ biscuits. Mum used to get loads of broken biscuits. Another welcomed treat.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few others but my mind’s gone blank for now. And, I’m conscious that this post is getting to be a rather large one again. So, guess what that means. Correct, Chester shops no longer with us – Part IV. I’ll bet you can’t wait!!!

For Part IV I’ll be wracking my brains to try and remember some of the smaller shops, independent shops that have sadly fallen by the wayside.

Record shops for instance. Migrant Mouse anyone? Hacks in the Precinct and what was that excellent toy shop called? Here we go again – another Memory Lane mental block!!!

So, watch this space as they say. Or, better still, why not bookmark my website and pop in on a regular basis to see what’s happening.

Thanks for visiting and thanks to all those who have tried to help me on my “missing mens clothes shop in Frodsham Street” crusade. Any other suggestions anyone?

Chester Lifestyle Memory Lane

Another blog post to be added to the increasing Memory Lane category. To see all the Chester Memory Lane posts, have a look HERE.

Chester Lifestyle Blog Posts

To see what else I write about other than Chester Memory Lane recollections, you can have a read of all my other blog posts HERE.

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