Smithford Street (inc. Ram Bridge)

Your site is always fantastic Osmiroid

I have a top hat that was purchased from 31 Smithford Street. It belonged to Dr Ernest Henry Kenderdine.

That's great! I do have a photo somewhere, taken in a Smithford Street studio, I hadn't found any details on the studio so let my attention lapse on it. I'll have to give it another go.

Here's a little info from a Coventry 1935 directory. It has the outfitter Harry Barton at number 31 Smithford Street and a Portrait Studio - Osborne - at number 68, 69.

Harry Barton and Son's Ltd moved to 5 Corporation Street in 1941, near St John's Church

Thanks Heathite, here are some rough shots of it, with the Melias Chambers part of the address. I'd been hoping before to find it mentioned on a map or a picture of it.

Osmiroid, wonderful photo's, but they say late fifties, Broadgate House but no sign of the Leofric that I thought opened in the middle fifties, are your dates wrong or am I?

Hotel Leofric opened in 1955 I have this postcard which I dated as circa 1953

Thanks both I have adjusted my caption to early 50s. I had previously seen that or similar mentioned as late 50s. I found out last night there was a Edith Osborne of 68 Smithford Street.

Ye Olde Co-op, that's a classic Neil.

Good view here which really shows of the line of Smithford Street. I don't think this could have been long after 1940. Would the tall white 'tower' to the left have been the Kings Head stairwell?

There is something very dramatic about the old black and white photos. I like that one, to me it looks as if all the people had frozen in time. Thanks for that one Neil.

Another shot I don't think I have seen before from the newspaper archive

I don't think I've ever seen this view of the Coventry Arms before and that side - the Kings Head just visible on the right.

Brilliant find, Neil It's great that you're back on nights again Coventry Arms on Real Ale Rambles