Record and music shops in the city

Lonnie Donegan... I also bought a couple of his records, Pick a Bale of Cotton and Rock Island Line.

Me finks, Jill Hansons shop, wasn't she the first shop to open it's doors in the new precinct, think before Woolies or Caplans etc. had to be before 52, What say you Dutchman?

Judge for yourself Kaga? This picture of Market Way (then called "Market Street") was taken in 1953. I think they're still putting the final touches to Jill's shop whilst Stones electrical and TrueForm shoes have already opened. Before that shop was built Hansons music shop was located in a disused chapel in West Orchard:

thank you dutchman, looks like the guys in the starting blocks on that roof, happy days.

Came across this bag in our box of old records. I had forgotten that Boots also sold records

Upstairs wasn't it? I remember they had a row of listening booths and one woman used to listen to the soundtrack from The Sound of Music over and over again! I think Hogarth's had a record department too, on the same floor as the cafe?

Found this in the woolies bag. The address says Smithford Street so must be pre war. The records belonged to an uncle who loved his records. They lived in a flat in Berners Close, Tile Hill. We used to go for tea occasionally on Sunday and when stereo first came out we had to sit on the sofa between the speakers so he could demonstrate it. But we loved going he had some great records like Three Little Fishes, Grandfathers Clock and the Ugly Duckling ! Happy days

Could be postwar, as they are still there in the 1948 Telephone Directory

During a recent conversation, the topic Big Band era came up, bringing memories of this great music and friendships. My closest friend Bernard Nicholls and myself spent a lot of time at the record store called Hanson's, cannot remember name of street, as my wife and I left England, March 1953. Bernard and I made a friendship, with a Joy Wagstaff and Jean Hammersley who worked in the store, from which a friendship with Jill Hanson came about, we had a few meals at Jill's home, all I can remember it was close to the Henry Eighth School?? I went to school at Barkers Butts, my only claim to fame was school captain of the cricket team. When I left headmaster Frank Howard gave me a cricket bar. Spent many nights at the Rialto dance hall in Coundon. I was married June 26th 1948 to Janet Dewis at St Barbara's Church in Earlsdon, my best man was John Gardiner who played for Coventry rugby team for many years I came about the HC Forum by accident, so much water under the bridge since those days, strangely my first contact and only with HC Forum was a person was looking for Jill Hansons daughter which prompted me to write this. Who knows somebody will remember some of my remarks from the past. Still an avid soccer fan and able to receive all matches live, also happy to see England win the Ashes Take care George Lake.

George, Hansons was in Hertford St. halfway down on the left, wife and I used to go there and preview records in sound booths before purchasing them. You left England at the time I was leaving Barkers Butts, so we are a few years apart and can't recall your name. Plenty for you to catch up with on the forum, lots of history, so enjoy your reading look forward to some of your comments as we go along on this wonderful nostalgic forum. Have a great day.

Hello Arthur, hopefully you will receive, sorry for all the delays, computer problems, plus a chance to get away for a few days, before summer goes (what summer). We lived in Scarborough a suburb of Toronto, moved to Barrie, 60 miles north of Toronto, due to old age plus Jan's health not the best, very close to daughter, also close to two grandsons' homes. Jan never did accept the change 100%, population from over 13 million to 32,000, did not bother me, close to beach, also casino, Jan was an avid gambler, not me, and when she passed on age 87 years, August 2013, she left me enough winnings to play for sometime, I only go twice a month & know when to quit? Barrie is in a snow belt, a beautiful winter wonderland, but very cold going below zero Fahrenheit many times. The forum has brought back many memories. Jan has 3 sisters, 2 in Coventry, 1 in Rugby & a brother in Lutterworth, so keep in touch, I have a very, very reasonable phone line to the UK, if you wish let me have your phone no. as talking to relatives with nothing to say is very ??? if you know what I mean. Take care, George.

Wasn't there a music shop called Hansons halfway down Hertford Street on the opposite side to the Empire cinema? I remember going into one with my friend during the early 60s where you could go in a little booth and put headphones on to listen to a record. My choice at the time was "Poor Me" by Adam Faith.

You may be thinking of W.H. Smith & Son at No.62 Janey? Hansons showroom at Nos.63-64 was bombed during the war and they moved to an abandoned chapel in West Orchard. Holbrooks Furniture built a temporary showroom on the Hertford Street site previously occupied by Hansons.

Janey is correct, dutchman, as I can remember using it several times in the early 60s - IIRC I purchased Theme from Dixie (Duane Eddy) and Take good care of my baby (Bobby Vee) from there Can't remember the name - will keep working on it It wasn't WH Smith though UPDATE A & F E Hanson Ltd, Music, Pianos, Theatre Bookings, 61 Hertford Street Coventry Tel : Cov 2327