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dutchman
Spon End
1 of 308  Wed 23rd Mar 2011 11:10pm  

Architecture: Cluttering up Gibson's Coventry I especially liked:
Most intrusive of all is the escalator, covered in green glass, that juts into the middle of the Upper Precinct like a derailed train.
and:
The frontage of West Orchards, on Smithford Way, has a light grey covering that makes it look like a giant convector heater. It is totally out of scale with its surroundings.
Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
Ghengis Smith
Ireland
2 of 308  Thu 13th Oct 2011 6:06pm  

My mate in Bristol has just sent me this photo of the Precinct. Would anybody have an idea of the date? I'm guessing 66-67. Also, any ideas what the GPO ticket-type machines are next to the phone boxes? (Stamps?) I kind of remember town being like that, but you know what childhood memories are like. Thanks. Thumbs up
Don't look around to find the sound that's right beneath your feet

Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
dutchman
Spon End
Thread starter
3 of 308  Thu 13th Oct 2011 6:18pm  

Market Way looking towards Smithford Way. Woolworths on the left, British Home Stores on the right. Yes they are stamps and I bought some I didn't need just to see how the machine works! Blush There was also a huge scrolling map in a glass display case nearby with "You are here" marked on it. You're not far off with the date, I would guess a bit earlier, 1963-65 as the trees are still very immature. Oh and I bet the girl with her knickers showing is sorry she ever signed up here now! Lol
Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
Ghengis Smith
Ireland
4 of 308  Thu 13th Oct 2011 6:41pm  

Thanks, Dutchman. I was born in '63, so I probably remember a later version. Still familiar, though.
Don't look around to find the sound that's right beneath your feet

Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
Ghengis Smith
Ireland
5 of 308  Thu 13th Oct 2011 7:12pm  

Here's one of the arcade from the same book.
Don't look around to find the sound that's right beneath your feet

Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
dutchman
Spon End
Thread starter
6 of 308  Thu 13th Oct 2011 7:36pm  

Great pic, thanks! Thumbs up
Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
Ghengis Smith
Ireland
7 of 308  Thu 13th Oct 2011 8:09pm  

The pics are from a 1968 book about shopping in Coventry. I will post more when I get them. Thanks. Thumbs up
Don't look around to find the sound that's right beneath your feet

Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
dutchman
Spon End
Thread starter
8 of 308  Thu 13th Oct 2011 8:29pm  

On 13th Oct 2011 8:09pm, Ghengis Smith said: The pics are from a 1968 book about shopping in Coventry.
In that case your estimate of the date for the pictures is probably much closer than mine Blush
On 13th Oct 2011 8:09pm, Ghengis Smith said: I will post more when I get them. Thanks. Thumbs up
Looking forward to those Cheers
Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
TonyS
Coventry
9 of 308  Fri 14th Oct 2011 1:57pm  

On 13th Oct 2011 7:12pm, Ghengis Smith said:
Good grief! The sign in the top-left (showing an ear and the words "HI-FI") was above the shop where I worked in 1965! It was RES (Radio Electrical Services). I worked all-day part-time on a Saturday there for £1 a week. The government then reduced the hours that a young person could work to just 4 hours so my earnings halved overnight. I then went on to work full-time at their branch in Far Gosford Street when I first left school (for £5 a week) - moving back to the City Arcade around 1966. It was brilliant, I would go out in my lunch hour, up to Jill Hansons record shop in Smithford Way to buy the latest records (which was actually to the left of the telephones in the first pic - next to Woolies), then return and play it full blast on one of the rather expensive hi-fi setups that we had on display upstairs in the showroom. I also used to buy my lunch from the bakers shop, fifth down on the right - with a "loaf" sign above it (no more clues) I would get two (yes TWO) big baguette type batches filled with hot pork and apple sauce. Actually they were made from a long french stick which would be cut into three - for 2 shillings each - I've just realised, I spent nearly a quarter of my earnings on my lunch! Happy days! Big grin [Edit] To the OP, what is the name/ISBN of the book - I'd love to find it Cheers
Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
TonyS
Coventry
10 of 308  Fri 14th Oct 2011 7:40pm  

Can anyone remember the gents barber shop that was the first shop on the right as you entered the arcade from the birdcage? I can't recall whether it was part of the Timpsons shoe repairs or was it a separate to the right of that in the pic? Smile
Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
11 of 308  Sat 15th Oct 2011 8:31am  

Greetings from the Coventry 'Riviera' It's good to be back home. Hope all are well.
Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
Ghengis Smith
Ireland
12 of 308  Sat 15th Oct 2011 7:45pm  

I don't have a copy of the book myself, but I think it was a privately printed/commissioned booklet, so I don't think it has an ISBN, will look into it.
Don't look around to find the sound that's right beneath your feet

Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
TonyS
Coventry
13 of 308  Sat 15th Oct 2011 8:07pm  

That would be great - thanks. Cheers
Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
Ghengis Smith
Ireland
14 of 308  Mon 17th Oct 2011 10:52am  

No ISBN, but here is a link
Don't look around to find the sound that's right beneath your feet

Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts
Midland Red

15 of 308  Mon 17th Oct 2011 11:38am  

Thanks for the link! Great to see
Town Planning and Development - City centre shopping precincts

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