Manchester Road Shops and Businesses (North & South Sides) during the 1960's,70's and 80's, with some odd 40's and 50's as well.

Manchester Road Shops (North Side)

(Click over photos to enlarge) As you hit the crossroads in the centre of Haslingden and having left Blackburn Road you then enter Manchester Road.  The first shop on the left hand side I can remember was  “Greenwoods” Men’s Outfitters Shop on the left corner (this shop actually is probably within Deardengate if we want to be picky. And next door to this was Relay Vision (Television Rentals) (1974 ish) – they had previously if I remember correctly been on Blackburn Road, or maybe they left this shop and went to Blackburn Road, not clear about it.  Nowadays (2012) this shop is a “Licensed Betting Shop”.  This then brings you up to the “Ginnell”  If you just went through the ginnell, years ago in the 50’s there used to be a unofficial betting shop just there. I say "unofficial" because if I am not mistaken, betting shops were still illegal at that time. Certainly would not have been allowed on the main street as they are today. But I think at that period in time "betting shops" were in a transition to becoming a legal identity and as such I think they were tolerated in a sort of "low profile" measure.

It used to be Tattersall's builders yard, behind Manchester Road.

Staying with Manchester Road and just after the ginnell was “Openshaws” Greengrocer, Florist and Fishmonger, I can remember when there used to be queues outside “Ted’s” shop on Good Fridays waiting to collect fish. This shop, many years previously had been a sadlers by the name of Green.  Next shop on I think I can remember Ray Lyndon having a sort of "cut price" shop here which had a one syllable name like "Paraphernalia" or something like that but can't remember the actual name. You then came to (No.8) W.H. Good’s (Electricians) this shop was ran by Mr. Sumner.  Next door was (No.10) which originally was Brown's Bakers and Confectioners , this then went on to be Schofield's (Bakers and Confectioners), and then I think we came to what was McIntyre's (Paints and Decorators and Decorating Products), then next door was (No.14) Johnson's the dry cleaners, this earlier had been a gifts and fancy goods and book shop run by Lilian (known as Dot) Hargreaves (who was married to Clifford's dad's brother Samuel). Then next for now I have drawn a blank and at the end of the first row was Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson’s, a fabulous old fashioned grocers which was more like a “delicatessan” sort of shop, who stocked all the very best makes. This shop in the 70s was Margarets hairdressers and later became the Burnley Building Society, and later the Santander Building Society.  This then brought you up to the “open ginnell” which once was the entrance to Tattersall's Builders and Builders Yard  which lay behind the Manchester Road Shops and which is now the large Car Park next to the large flats complex. At Tattersall's you could purchase "Black Lime Plaster" which was used them days to backpoint your roof slates. Also the tradesmen who worked at Tattersall's used to have large wooden  "hand carts" to take to their jobs along with their ladders, tools and materials. (See photo above and click over photos to enlarge)

 Hallams - Bakers - Notice signs for Turog and Hovis

After the ginnell came Burgess’s Butchers shop ran by Mr. Burgess (Snr) and later by his son Duncan.  There could now have been another shop, but the next I clearly remember was Stevenson’s Plumbers which was situated right at the Bus Stop.  Next door to this shop was (No.26) C and B Coal Company, and then the very end shop was a Bakers and Confections called “Hallams”, they had large display signs advertising “Turog and Hovis Breads”(Check out the photo to the left). Here now was Dale Street.

Hansons Drapers later Halifax Building Society

Moving across Dale Street, you had Hansons on the corner who were a Drapers/ Haberdashery shop. This shop later became the Halifax Building Society, which had previously been located next door on the side of Dale Street and at that time part of the Cotton and Garnett Solicitors Offices. Next to Hanson’s was a favourite of mine and I am sure many The Savoy Coffee Bar. I remember the owner he was a large character and called Mr. Dodds, he had white hair and dark rimmed glasses and always wore his white "catering" jacket. The Savoy was later taken over by another well known local businessman Malcolm Burns who also ran it for many years. Then moving on next door was a Bakers and Confectioners by the name of George Tomlinson, then there was (No.36) which was Boyson's (Greengrocers) and ran by the Hugo family. And then there was another butchers shop (No.38) called Horrocks's, which later became Geoff Sackfields, then we have (No. 40) which had formerly been J.R. Greenwood's but better known as "Molly's" and they used to sell "fresh fish", and later became Mrs Bennetts and then the Shiela Thomas dress shop.  And at the very end (No.42) you had Bryan Varley’s Newsagents which later became Meads and then later Ann Belshaw’s Picture Framing Shop. Later Ann Belshaws extended their business and acquired next door No. 40 as well as their existing No. 42 This brought you then to the Junction with Beaconsfield Street.

Mr. Rothwells Shop at Corner with Park St

You then crossed over and came to Inerveron which was the home and surgery of Doctor Carter and his family, from here he ran his GP practice, and he was also on call as the local Police Doctor. I remember when at school and our class went down to visit Mrs. Carter who "fire glazed our pottery items which we had made.  I also remember their son Tim, who went on to be a farming manager in the Ribble Valley.  When Doctor Carter retired and left the property it was taken over and turned into a Nursing Home. Next to Doc's you had No.44 which was formerly Misses Hill's (Molly and Joans -  Later this shop was taken over by Jack and Irene Gillespie's, Bakers and Confectioners Shop. Next door (No.46) was Anderton's who supplied "chip" ranges. You then came to the gable end of the Liberal Club which had its main entrance on Park Street.  Crossing over at the junction of Park Street and you have what used to be Mr. Rothwell's Shop (see photo) which is a hairdressers these days. Just two doors down from Mr. Rothwells's was the dentist and if you look at the above photo you will see the dentist circular sign. Then just before you come to the junction with Greenfield Street there was another shop on the corner, in more recent times this had become a Asian Grocers shop but I think it may well have closed down yet again. As you crossover the Greenfield St Junction you come to a long row with gardened fronts, about the third or fourth down is the Dentist. Carrying on to the end of that Row you come to the junction of Princess Street which had the Hamer's Decorators Shop (No.96)  on the far corner immediately at the zebra now pelican crossing.

The Old Toll Bar which was on the corner with Bury Road

Further along you came to the junction of Rifle Street and at the far corner there was (No.110) which was Robinson's newsagent's shop , then further on was Hope St, a little further on and there was a Electricians called Dobsons and a little further was Ramsbottom's Bakers and Confectioners (almost opposite the Jesters) which was later to become Beryl's Bakery and much later was turned into a grocers shop, but that was short lived and the property has now been turned back to a private dwelling. then further along you came to a Butchers shop which was on the corner and the butcher who ran it was called Jim Woods, (a tall chap with glasses). Later the butchers was taken over by Jack and Annie. Almost immediately after the butchers shop you came to the Crown Pub which the landlord them days was "Charlie" whom had been the longest serving landlord in the town at that time.  After the pub I do believe many years earlier there had been another building called the "Toll Bar" (see photo), but this had been demolished, and in its place was built a small garden with seat. This brings you to the junction with Bury Road. Crossing over the junction you come across to the "Junction Chippy" (although perhaps this is on Bury Road), then you come to Laneside Filling Station then on past the Size House properties, built on what was originally Messrs. T.L. Ormerod and Company - the Size House Mill and Offices site , then further on you eventually reach the Rose and Crown Pub.  Further along in the long row (No.310) was J.F. Kirkman - Watch Repairer and Jeweller, they used to have a "big clock" in their window. . Much further on still and you would reach the Woolpack. Years ago when the licensing laws had restriction to open between 12noon and 3pm, the Woolpack was allowed to open all day long on Thursday only (Thursdays was cattle market day at the auctions).  The reason was that it held a special licence because of the passing drovers travelling onward to Bury, and also that in more modern times lots of visiting farmers and drovers would attend the nearby Auction Mart which used to be just across the road from the Woolpack.

Sign on Woolpack

Manchester Road (South Side)  

Starting from the traffic lights you have the old Commercial Hotel, a hotel were many years ago Sir Winston Churchill had stayed. Then next door to the Commercial was the old bus shelter which also to its rear accomodated the "public conveniences". I remember waiting for the Accrington bus from here, I think the journey was No.4, it was quite a large stone structure with heavy duty wooden forms to sit on.  Next door and the first private business along here was Whittles Wines and Spirits who were also wholesalers.  They had their name signwritten in "script" on the dark glass windows. This sort of banners were popular them days. I think it was next door, can't remember what it originally was but do remember it being Tommy Hollins Men's Clothes shop, Tommy had moved up from Helmshore where he had been very popular over the years with his shop down there. Nowadays this shop is a bespoke tailors shop. Next door was Mildred's Ladies dress shop which was owned by Clifford Shutt's wife. And next to that was Florrie Bennett's another ladies clothes shop and then we came to the shop at the end which was Coulson's TV and Electrical goods shop, which later became the Job Centre and much later became Plus 2 Hairdressers.

Wesleyan Schoolroom on corner with Warner St
In later years better known as "The Clinic"

Now reaching the junction of New Street the shop there was Clifford Shutt's Motorbike Shop at one time and also it was later to be Alan Mead's Sportswear Shop combined with his Newsagents.  It also at one time was the offices for  W.H. Shaw's - Coal Merchants office and you would regularly see both David and Bernard Pickup working there.  It was their third place, they used to be on Blackburn Road opposite Station Steps, then they moved to the site on Market Place where the Swan pub used to be before coming here. The Shop is nowadays part of the "Bargain Booze" empire.  Next door is the Newsagents, then you had Clifford Shutt's Cycle Shop.  I can still remember here at this shop you could put a 1d in a slot in the side of the panelling next to the door and this would then set off a model train running around a track within his window. Then you had Nuttalls chip shop, I think previous to it being a chip shop it may well have been Appleby's Crumpet Shop, but today it is still a chip shop/chinese takeaway.  Then next door was I think a Ironmongers shop which may have later become the late Bobby Barnes's Chemist Shop. And the final shop on the corner of the junction with Warner Street was the  National Coal Board Office, in more recent times it has been a double glazing windows firm. Although if you look on the photo above you will see at one time it must have been called "Continental ?. Just around the corner and into Warner Street you also had Mr. Wonderful's Grocers Shop and just further on was Parkinsons (Bookmakers) which later became Parkinson and Ashman and in more recent times has also been a high street bookies shop and more recently the shop has changed yet again.

Where Temperence Bar was and Mr Barnes's Plumbers

Crossing over the street at Warner Street you would have come to the Wesleyan School room (see photo above. A large stone building where I remember the School sending you about once a year to go and get checked out by the Nurse for head lice or Nits as we all called them. Nowadays a modern building has been built on the Site which is the Haslingden Health Centre. Moving on and you have a large stone built property which at one time was the Vicarage for the Manchester Road Methodist Church.  Next door is the Church itself, and further on is the Memorial Gardens. After going past the Memorial Gardens you have the Fire Station and the Police Station and at the back is the School.  When I went to this School I remember this whole area long before the Fire and Police Stations and it was just a sort of sand area and bore the name "Sandpits". The bus stop was just near to where the zebra/pelican crossing is. Further down and on the next row of houses there is a shop at the corner which was No.93 called Jesters and it is a Grocers/Off Licence Shop nowadays, This shop previously had also been a grocer's and two of the previous owners had been the Bountiff's and the Cockcroft's.  Your now at the junction with  East Bank Avenue.

Mr. Rothwells shop

 After crossing the junction the shops began with No.95 which was Maggie Booths a Greengrocers and later a hairdressers, then No.97 was Miss Nancy Dobsons Confectioners, later Albert Shaw (1947-1962), No.99 was Mrs. Cronshaw who ran a Baby Linen and Wool shop, and No.101 was George Barnes barbers,  there was a Bakers by the name of Shaws.  Further down the row was (No.113) which was Tattersalls Ice Cream shop or known as "The Temperence Bar, a cafe we used to go in after being at the local swimming baths and was always good for a hot cup of Bovril and a packet of crisps, over the years the cafe had been owned by the Tattersall's, Jackson's and Lewis's.  A little further on and there is now a wide gap where (No 125 or 127) used to be. Here there used to be a grocers shop owned by amongst others the Riley's and also Jack Rothwell.  Then further on and just before the end is (No.131) which was Mr. & Mrs. Moran's business (Mayor of Haslingden 1946/47) She ran a ladies hairdressers downstairs and he was a chiropodist who worked from upstairs. Carry on to the end of the row and there used to be (No.133) Mr. Barnes's Plumbers Shop which was at the corner with St. Peters Avenue.

The Old Post Office, Top of Whiteley Street.

Crossing over St. Peter's Avenue and the house on the corner  (No.135) was Haworth's which had it's little front room shop called "The Little Stocking Shop" selling ladies hosiery etc. Further on and you came to Hall Street and on the lower corner there used to be a "selling out shop" only licensed to sell alcoholic drinks to be consumed off the premises. Then just lower down was a repairs garage set back from the road.  Just a little further and you came to the foundry which was then S.S. Stotts .  Although closed down for some years, the foundry was re-opened by a new firm called Bender. Carrying on past the foundry and you eventually come to a shop on the corner of Park Avenue and opposite the Rose and Crown. This little shop had previously been a grocers, but nowadays it is a Computer repair shop. Then a little further down was Bright's Garage , I can remember Gordon at school, he was always good at football. Then almost next door and at the top of Whiteley Street was the then Post Office. (see photo). Carrying on further down the road there was a small bakers towards the end of the row, and right at the very end of the row was the then chippy which nowadays is Nino's Pizza Bar, this brings you to the junction of Fields Road.  On the opposite corner was the then Co-op which is now the Car and Garage shop. At the other end of the row is the bakers.  A little gap and you have the Road End Newsagents. Then there used to be a small "Public Convenience" and then you would be at the top of Sykeside Road which led down to the Mill in the bottom (Now Tescos) At the top of here there was a grocers shop owned by Mr and Mrs Molloy. Moving further down and crossing over Broadway, you had the Haslingden Auction Mart which held main cattle auctions on a Thursday. Within the auction they had a very popular cafe on Thursdays where people from all over the town would ascend for their reasonably priced good home cooking grub. At one time just in front of the auctions Malcolm Burns had a Coffee Bar/Cafe.

Advert for Bright's Garage

(My thanks to Jackie Ramsbottom, for kindly helping with the supply of the "Manchester Road Wesleyan School photo above" and for the Brights advert above, and also for rallying the troops on Facebook for additional information kindly supplied by: Steve Rothwell, Janette Jones, Peter Taylor, Robert Wade (Wadey), Pauline Dagg and Judith Sewell. Tim Kirby, Roger Roundell, Dave Bates, Ian Belshaw, Sharon Burnett. Brian Metcalfe, Joan Lords  And also a big thanks to Clifford Hargreaves for kindly sending in the "Advertisements" filed above, and also for lots of other very helpful information on several of the shops and businesses including some fabulous information from the 40s and 50s. 

Another nice photo of Manchester Road and corner of Dale Street (Click over to enlarge)
Photo: Kindly shared by Tim Kirby

Haslingden Commercial showing FW Sutcliffe - shoes

Photo: Thanks to Roger Roundell

Photo: Thanks to Wadey

Photo: Thanks to Wadey

Photo: Thanks to Chris Kirby

Photo: Thanks to Chris Kirby

Photo: thanks to Wadey

Photo: thanks to Wadey

Photo: was Anne Belshaws Gallery now Singletons - photo thanks to Wadey

Photo: was Anne Belshaws Gallery now Charles Macey - photo thanks to Wadey

Photo: thanks to Jackie

Photo: thanks to Brian Smith

Shows Hansons, Savoy, Tomlinsons

Photo: thanks to Jackie