Wartime housing and shops

A zoom in from Google street view of Thistleyfields. Bricks work looks too new, though.

These were war time houses, I think the roofs were put on in the 1960's as I used to come that way home from school sometimes.

These were known by the Radford council workers as "Mickey Mouse" houses because the stairs which should have led to an upper floor led to the ceiling.The cold water tank was in an insulated box on the roof and access to it was climbing up the round holes at the sides of the porch

But they only seem to lead to a flat roof above the porch?

There used to be some similar properties along Dillotford Ave. They were known as the "half-builds". With the onset of the war, all building work was ceased so that labour and materials could be used for the war effort. All building firms were told to "bung a low roof" on existing houses being built, hence the concrete staircase leading up to the ceiling and a flat concrete roof. These properties had a bathroom, store room, a small kitchen and a bedsit lounge. Used for oaps. Also this is where the term "bungalow" came from.

Thanks for the inputs! Yes indeed, throughout Britain houses were downsized simply cut in half whilst building them. In London many wartime houses were even further subdivided (for more families) once completed.

Midland Red, help. I read somewhere about gas masks and there was a picture of a woman in Corporation St looking in, I think, Selfridges? Do you know the topic?

Can't seem to find the photo - sorry

Kaga, I must be one of the ignorant ones but I can never remember a Selfridges in Coventry. If there was I hope someone will enlighten me. Better still I like to think I may have been too young to remember it. Hope the sun is shining round up there for you all.

Dreamtime, Yes, Selfridges, trendy women's clothing. I think they may have sold baby toys, etc., but can't think where. Got hauled around many times by young women begging clothing coupons, but well worth it. Happy, happy days.

I think the ladies clothes shop was Selrights not Selfridges. it was in Hertford Street but may have been somewhere else earlier on. AH

I can see an advert for Sellrights at 25-26 Smithford Street in 1948. In the 1960 it was in Broadgate House, that is where I can remember it. The adverts show it as a bridal shop. They also had a temporary shop in Corporation Street in 1941.

1935 directory.

Gas centre, They were both ladies shops, as far as I remember, but there has been a photo on here lately of a smart lady outside the pre-fab shop in Corporation street, but no one seems to know the topic?

Hi Anne, Yes, Sellrights bridal shop under the bridge and next door it was Pauls Hairdressing. Bought my dress from there in 1961. I am sure this was mentioned before. I vaguely remember the Sellrights situated among the temporary shops in the early Corporation St. they all had little windows along that row.