Broadgate

They were not included in the pre war development of Corporation Street either, Kaga. Apparently the decision was made, before the war started, to gradually phase them out.

Yes Greg, that's what I meant, all trams to be phased out.

The last tram from Gosford Green to Broadgate via Far Gosford Street and Lower Ford Street ran on 7th March 1936 and the last Earlsdon tram ran on 24th April 1937. The day before 2 minor mishaps caused considerable delays. Trams in Smithford Street had stopped in 1932 and the last tram to travel down Hertford Street was 24th April 1937.

From council planning, 1921: That permission be granted for an electric sign to be affixed to 12, Broadgate, by Messrs. R. Gilbert & Son, Ltd., subject to the right of the Corporation to require the removal of the projection at any time

In 1935 Levin & Staples of Harley Street, Bow, gown manufacturers, took over the lease of 12 Broadgate, occupied by R Gilbert & Sons. A condition that they must obtain lessor's permission to trade otherwise as a ladies & children's costumers and may not sublet to a jeweller. In 1937 the property became the temporary premises for Martin's Bank until the new premises at 2 High Street were ready.

I think the shelter was for staff not for passengers. If I remember correctly the Royal Vaults was halfway between the bank and the fire station, so why did all the trams go down the Burges? Was the lane between the Vaults and the Burges Ironmonger Row? And the sign above the shelter says Radford and Bedworth towards the bank?

Surely Burges was the only route when the tracks were laid? There was no Trinity Street then

Kaga, going downhill from the Royal Vaults there was Little Butcher Row then Ironmonger Row lower down

Kaga. The signs are 'sided' what you can see is, the trams for Longford & Bedworth depart on that side. The hut/shelter is an inspectors cabin, contained within was a control panel with levers with which the inspector changed the points on the trackwork in Broadgate. When the Corporation purchased the tramway system in 1912, a loan to pay for it was taken out, payable back over 30 years. The fares taken on the trams was to be used to cover those payments. The trams were to go in 1942 anyway, after the loan was paid back.

Thanks for adding this info about the huts, just what I'd been looking for!! I had only seen pictures of people in uniform at the huts, not passengers, but didn't know what was going on.

CPH, you have just made my day. I was 3-4 years old, I would not wee in the gutter, so mother took me in that shelter, spoke to an inspector and he put me in a corner with an old bowl - that's when I saw him operate the levers. I wasn't sure of my memory. Yes, I knew the passenger boarding was higher but there was no trams in Radford to my knowledge? Now we have a topic about the IRA bomb in Coventry - I believe the police only told people so much, there had been a lot of anger the last few years from a number of Coventry people about the fire devastation of the Stratford Theatre, thought to be the IRA, that fuelled the episode of the bombing more, but nothing from the police. Thanks for your info, look forward to more.

Thank you Kaga and Osmiroid. It's a pleasure to help and a joy to be appreciated.

Anne/Helen - I wonder if this is the 'new' Prudential building that only lasted months as per Anne's clipping in post 389 -

Almost certainly. Not a picture I'd seen before.

At the Motofest last weekend whilst standing in Broadgate I overheard talk of removing the infill from under what was the Bridge restaurant to expose the top of Hertford Street. Can anyone say if this is fact or fiction, in my mind if it did happen it would be a big improvement.