Shops of yore

Ah, thanks Cliff - I guess that Walsgrave Road branch wouldn't have been there much longer after that. That whole row of shops used to be referred to by locals as "Isherwood's shops" due to the most prominent of them by that name, a grocer's who made their own fantastic sausages and faggots - my word I miss those! "Food" for another topic maybe?

^^^That's not the same 'Victor Value' as mentioned above. It's the former Bejam store opposite St John's Church. The name was changed in 1987. It must have been short-lived as well as I only ever remember it as being a Kwik-Save from 1989 onwards.

As kids my mother hated seeing us in jeans but I suppose we must have nagged her to buy them for us. We always went to an army & navy surplus type shop which I think was in the precinct somewhere. I think the shop was called Wakefields but I can't find anything online for such a company. Can anyone remember this shop and confirm the name? I think they also sold camping gear, hiking boots etc.

Was there a shop called Breens behind the Gas Showrooms, I remember a shop there that sold amongst other things ex service clothing etc. and I bought a lovely fawn duffle coat and I also used to buy John White shoes there.

The only shop I remember above the Gas Showrooms sold tents and camping equipment.

Breens were in Ford Street, King William Street and Spon Street in 1956, and in Shelton Square in 1975! Are you thinking of Lynes's? Roger Turner said "behind" the Gas Showrooms

Yes MR. I raised the topic of Lynes just a couple of weeks ago. One of my suppliers of ex service goods was the Army and Navy stores top of Far Gosford St near the White Lion. I think they had another store in Coventry, forgotten where.

I took this not long before the building was demolished.

That was "Riddy's" in Walsgrave Road, as seen on page 5 of this thread

I think there was a Lynes on the east corner of Cox Street and Gosford Street or is that the one you mean?

The only shop I can recall where the men had to dip their head on the right hand side was painted white it was in my day in the 70s a second hand shop the door wasn't facing the street. Yes I recall the rare 1930 rare penny and I'm still looking for it

It was the 1933 penny that was so valuable as there was only about six struck. There has been one for sale on ebay for £80,000 but its almost certain to be phony so keep your 80K in your purse.

Hi all, good to know my memory was right. as I used to live in Wren Street I spent some time in the area. Riddys was a favourite of mine too. So wanted to buy all the cool stuff in there. Was it Sweeny Todds hairdressers next door? Then next to that was a pub. I wasnt old enough to go in there before it was demolished. Quite a few pubs in such a small area, but have been big drinkers who lived around Gosford Street.

Morning Gumnut (or evening where you are) Yes it was Sweeny Todd next door. Paul Todd the owner is still cutting etc in Clay Lane. My mate was an apprentice there. I also used to go to Riddys. When I was a mod in the mid 60's he sold genuine ex US Army Parkas not the naff quilted ones available in Millets. Essential item of clothing when you were a scooter boy! Complete with my Coventry Kid cap I thought I really looked the business.

There were a lot of German flag marked clothing when I used to look. I recall them feeling really heavy, I guess that would have meant quality. I was really miffed when it was shut down and demolished. I would have liked to see Gosford street in its heyday.