Derby Lane, Pepper Lane and the Cathedral Quarter

It's difficult to date this photo because I have a suspicion the Lyons shop was bombed twice - flattened on 14 November and the replacement shop damaged in the April raids. I've seen a photo of April 1941 where there is a crater in Broadgate with a smashed up van and the prefab shop wrecked. In any event it wasn't unusual to see long queues during the war, especially if the shops had a delivery of something dificult to get hold of or at Christmas maybe?

A couple more that are not-quite Derby Lane itself but give us some more tantalisingly close captures of that later multi-story building that evading the blitz. Some great detail on this one including the Free Library and the ruined Pru - .......and this one has been colour tinted and possibly a film still but possibly the best pic yet of it - there was still a chunk of The Pru standing going by this one -

I believe the 3 story building next to the library was used as part of the reference library. I recall visiting it sometime during 1962/4 because Mr Creek, who taught me religious knowledge GCE at Cauldon Castle Comprehensive School, had arranged for some books to be borrowed from another library and kept there so that the class could take notes as part of homework. This was before the opening of the reference library in Bayley Lane.

Another Coventry Smorgasbord FB post - A great view (obviously a newspaper cutting) looking south on Cuckoo Lane. There are not many images especially at ground level of the Gulson Libraries' east end facing the Lane. I'm a bit puzzled by what should be St Michaels Baptist Chapel on the left side - its profile doesn't match but it must be the mist/clarity of the old image -

Perhaps it had already been damaged but not reduced to a lower level?

I've seen this painting before but couldn't see it on here so adding for reference - although it's been incorrectly titled you can see the corner property in Derby Lane with Holy Trinity and the Gulson Library to the sides. Today's maps have it listed as Trinity Churchyard -

© Historic England I think they have this one incorrectly labelled. They have it as - General View From Neighbouring Street Showing Cars - Priory Street between 1929 and 1940 - but I think it's Bayley Lane looking east towards St Michael's. There is some photo damage with that white stripe but it looks like it's taken further east from the 'usual' shot we have seen previously which is usually taken at the junction with Derby Lane. The properties either side before the Golden Cross are rarely captured pre-war.

Helen, I'll have you know I need to purchase a pair of eyelid props to keep my eyes open. These late nights are telling on me. Goodnight all, see you tomorrow.

There is a better view of that taller building behind in Pepper Lane here on CD -