Shops of yore

Dixons started out in the unit alongside M&S, where GoingPlaces (the travel company) occupied more recently. This unit, like many others, now stands empty. As Dutchman's said, it was close to the shortcut that used to link to the West Orchards car park. (I believe this shortcut now goes nowhere?) Dixons then moved to where Waterstones now is, on the corner of the Precinct crossroads, opposite Phone4U. How many remember Currys - when it was in the lower precinct, just down the slope, on the left-hand side, next to "The City Pram Shop". Currys moved from here to the Alvis retail park.

I recall the name Bee, but don't recall the shop at all. It can't have been there long! Could he have been a photographer, rather than a camera shop? (In which case, I wouldn't have taken any notice) The one I recall at the top of Hertford St was only there about 2 years at most, I should think. One weekend I went to have a look, and the shop was empty.

Here's Dixons, in its last city-centre position...

M'mm, they came with a great flourish and loads of loud publicity....but did they go with more than a whimper? They just seemed to dematerialise in Norwich... And a thought, then, Tony - do you recall the shop I mean in Hertford st?

It's completely blocked-off now. The only way through is via the West Orchards complex. I don't remember that one. I do remember a Comet there, though not quite on the corner. Did Currys sell bikes there at one time too?

I do Keith, but I honestly couldn't have told you its name I only ever went in there once, and they hadn't got what I wanted so never went back! Greens I recall had two shops, both in Market Way, one opposite one of the current Superdrug shops - selling cameras downstairs and computers upstairs. I bought my first business PC computer from here - an Amstrad 1512. It was managed by a Canadian named Dave Baker - who purchased all of the computer stock when Greens went into administration. His intention was to open a small unit at the top of Far Gosford Street - but due to his illness he never fulfilled his dream. The other Greens was on the corner in Shelton Square - they were more of a "traditional" chemist. A pawn (thats p.a.w.n. shop) is there now I used to work in Hertford Street, once upon a time, but don't recall a Greens Chemist down there. Do you remember where exactly?

No, that was the "City Pram Co" - they had them hanging up in the window

Dutchman, see my photo, a few posts up the page

Okay thanks Tony! I mistook it for the one in Shelton Square

Green's Chemists was at the bottom of Hertford Street, occupying the triangle between Hertford St and Greyfriars Lane (it was grey and not whitefriars...?) plus another shopfront next door, on the same side, making a pretty big shop - bother were effectively double fronted. The cameras were in the "next door" shop, not the triangular one. I'd forgotten they had a shop in Shelton Sq, and didn't know they had one in Market Way - that I presume was after I left Coventry. I think the Shelton Sq shop had a few cameras for sale when they first went there. I'd have sworn Bee's shop was the one at the other end of Hertford St - but it didn't have a name on it as I recall. Funny little place, wasn't it? He always had a lot of Exakta cameras and lenses for them in the 2nd-hand window. Another shop that sold 2nd hand cameras was Exchange & Mart in New Buildings. But I think it would have been risky to buy one from there, judging by a lot of the other stuff on sale there!! OMG - you started with an Amstrad too........ My first 'proper' home computer was an Amstrad......

At the bottom Tony. It's on the site here. There was one even lower down before that, on the corner of Warwick Lane and New Union Street.

Greens chemist use to be the last shop right at the bottom on the left hand side going down Herford street the shop is now a charity shop.

Crickey! My memory has trouble with last week, let alone that far back I really don't remember that, what sort of year was that shop Greens?

Ahhh, now I remember - thank you so much!

It was there until the early 70s, as I remember. And was there pre-war. BTW - I asked earlier if anyone remembered Riddy's Government Surplus shop, on the corner of PAyne's Lane, opposite Gosford Green. Remember it, chaps? I've still got ex-WD spanners and sockets I bought there in hte 60s.