Vicar Lane

Rob, your one of the 'new' M&S store (which I think was only there for about 11 or so years - and would have replaced that white sided building) is a terrific capture as it's taken from standing on Smithford Street - Vicar Lane on the very left hand edge.

Hi guys. The white jettied building was next door but one to Vicar Lane on the right hand side as you looked at it. On the corner was a brick fronted (probably timber underneath) 3 storey building. That and the jettied building (at least) must have been demolished to build the M&S. Which makes this picture Neil posted the side of the M&S on the left.

These posts are brill!

Would this be the top of M&S in the background?

Surely, YES!

Helen, using my zooming 'powers' with a better shot of that M&S image on the Archives

This is described "This is one of two cars used to rush the good news to the streets of Coventry. This was the first time that a provincial newspaper used motorised transport to deliver the goods. The newspaper proprieter, Mr Iliffe hired a Panhard and a Princess from the Motor Manufacturing Company in Parkside, Coventry. 4th March 1900". I'm thinking that it might be Vicar Lane, probably the King's Head Tap on the left. It tallies with the very right of this later image after the pub was closed. Pretty much confirmed this now. On the upper level in the older photo there is a window, which was then partially walled up for a window to match the window on the other side of the door below (visible in the second photo). The taller opening was a very early feature and probably a door, not a window at all. I doubt that there were stairs but it's probably for hoisting things to the upper floor. The 1850 map looks like it defines the building as stables, so the storage might have been for hay and oats.

What a glorious and clear photo this of the Midland Daily Telegraph vehicle and the poster - Ladysmith Relieved. Deserves a prize of its own.

You know Vicar Lane is one of my favourites, Helen - terrific spot! Again, amazing clarity in that image for the age.

Helen. Perhaps you mean Pepper Lane, rather than Bayley Lane?

You're right. I often forget about Pepper Lane.

I was wondering when you'd notice Neil . If you search for Panhard, you should find the picture of the other car, taken in a similar spot but not as good quality photo. I don't know which car was which. I've been wondering where these two cars were captured for a while and vaguely thought it must be somewhere like Hill Top until the Vicar Lane photo turned up. When you know more about the printing works and what the cars were for, it becomes a logical spot. The better quality photos also help - thanks, Coventry Digital

Another one of Vicar Lane for Neil. You can just see the lamp post and Cash's shoe shop on the corner of Market Street in the distance.

Looks like there was a bit of a gradient rising up and over as you went south along Vicar Lane from Smithford Street, Helen.