Allwoods & Atkins and Turton / Martins Bank

I was wondering what happened to Allwoods Atkins and Turton. I'm guessing that the Fleet St shop went when Smithford Way was constructed; but what of the Earlsdon shop? Does anyone know? Other grocers that I remember being in Coventry were Lipton's, Home and Colonial, Empire Stores, Plevin's, and several others. All gone, I guess?

I got this photo from eBay a year or two ago. I don't know the year (maybe someone here can help) but as far as I know this is the branch that was based in High Street - in the building that later became Martin's Bank on the corner of Pepper Lane.

I would say at least late 1800s, going by the cloths as my grancher was wearing the same kind of collar and tie, shame you can't see their boots, as on my photos, they were fastened by eyelet hook where they used like a crochet hook to do them up.

That's intriguing Rob - because it's either just Atkins and Turton (probably) or else Allwoods & Atkins and Turton (sic), and would have to be no earlier than 1937, when Allwoods merged with A & T. I'd say, the former. However, so far as I'm aware, they were in a - I believe - re-vamped A T & T premises in Fleet St in 1937. But I don't know when they opened the shop in Earlsdon, and what happened to it. I think dutchman said it was taken over (in Earlsdon) but I can't find a shred of info about it - odd. Both the Fleet St and the Earlsdon St premises had a whole small shop dedicated to coffee, with a large red and polished metal grinder in the window - took up almost all the window - and smelt wonderful. Both shops were very popular, and my mother shopped at both; I guess she migrated to the Earlsdon one after the Fleet St one closed. But I don't know, and I'd love to find out! That's a nice photo, though. A PROPER grocers!! They were quite a Coventry institution. BTW...drifting here! ... hope you've found some Nelson's Revenge to sample, or even Headcracker. You'll never drink tea again! Delicious - wish I could drink either....

Wasn't me Keith, I know nothing about the Earlsdon branch.

We're so vibrant and active, I can't remember who said what, when, now!!

I can't remember things I did three days ago!

That's a happy state to be in, I'm told...

1868 Kelly's Directory - Atkins & Turton, 2 High Street

And then, of course, there's a picture showing the shop on my own "now and then" page.... which I'd almost completely forgotten about! (Far left hand side.) https://www.historiccoventry.co.uk/nowandthen/content.php?pg=highst-from-bgate It must be my age!

Is that where the old Martins Bank was? I appreciate the address states "No 2" but it looks further down than that??

Yes, it's actually in the same building, even though it looks completely different. I recall looking into this for someone a long time ago, and after first thinking that it must have been rebuilt later as Martin's Bank, the 'Bank' building was there before the coffee shop, so it must be well disguised with the shop frontage.

The Martins Bank Archive appears to date the bank building as 1937 - would this line up with your own findings Rob?

Heres some pics of the Martins Bank building from the mid 1980's I seem to remember it last being used by Coventry Building society.... ... and one of the inside, just before it was demolished!

Well.... that what I originally thought.... until I saw this early 1900s photo, with Atkins & Turton looking remarkably like Martin's Bank! Talk about cat among the pigeons!