Hertford Street

Yes. Note, no bulldozers. I think only that side was roped off for a few days while those unsafe walls were removed. The corner had been cleared and Weaver to Wearer had a hut erected, back in business very quickly - I think it was said they were Jews and grabbed the money while others were still shopless.

Hutless surely? Perhaps they felt that a quick return to "normal" was a better boost to morale and that their faith had nothing to do with it? I recall that a lot of Jewish people, in other parts of the world, were forced to live in huts.

Was that this one Kaga? I did not realise they had premises in Hertford St? What did they do/sell, presumably tailors?

Gents tailors, I think heavy worsteds or similar. Forget were the were before, but they grabbed that corner spot before anyone else.

Reminded me of the Coventry Ribbon shown at the Great Exhibition. We have the Joseph Paxton connection too!

The Coventry Ribbon from Great Exhibition 1851

From Coventry Herald 1889

Google the last silk factory in Coventry. Half the population of Coventry were employed on weaving in the 19th century, cotton, calico, wool, worsted, silk and linen. Coventry was ideal with all the water around, a damp climate was ideal for spinning the brittle yarn. To add strength to the cotton, weavers added 'fustian' wool or linen to make the warp. My Mother worked a loom when little. My granny still had a treadle loom in her house when I was small, and I believe what may have been an attic full of yarn. I believe Coventry had a cloth hall. Linen, wool, cotton, silk factories ran side by side, all intermingled with the narrow boats, farming and shoe making. In the 1950s Coventry still had three textile factories running, each on the Canal Bank, they were noisy, dirty and dangerous. I have no idea if Coventry made canvas, but old sailors covered their canvas suits in tar to keep out the water, hence 'jolly jack tars'.

Some lovely detail here!

Sad before and afters here showing the Queens Hotel.

Holbrooks in Hertford St 1911-12 directory.

Has the change at the Broadgate end of Hertford St reached any completion yet now the bridge is open again?

Hi Prof, The Hertford Street work is finished. The surface is tarmac with a light brown coating. Unfortunately the food vans have moved blocking the view of the buildings. Three of them were open today as the city centre is getting quite busy considering how few shops are open. Peter.

Many thanks Peter B. Good photo.

For the record, sad news concerning the Audenshaw transformer