City centre shopping precincts

Architecture: Cluttering up Gibson's Coventry I especially liked: and:

My mate in Bristol has just sent me this photo of the Precinct. Would anybody have an idea of the date? I'm guessing 66-67. Also, any ideas what the GPO ticket-type machines are next to the phone boxes? (Stamps?) I kind of remember town being like that, but you know what childhood memories are like. Thanks.

Market Way looking towards Smithford Way. Woolworths on the left, British Home Stores on the right. Yes they are stamps and I bought some I didn't need just to see how the machine works! There was also a huge scrolling map in a glass display case nearby with "You are here" marked on it. You're not far off with the date, I would guess a bit earlier, 1963-65 as the trees are still very immature. Oh and I bet the girl with her knickers showing is sorry she ever signed up here now!

Thanks, Dutchman. I was born in '63, so I probably remember a later version. Still familiar, though.

Here's one of the arcade from the same book.

Great pic, thanks!

The pics are from a 1968 book about shopping in Coventry. I will post more when I get them. Thanks.

In that case your estimate of the date for the pictures is probably much closer than mine Looking forward to those

Good grief! The sign in the top-left (showing an ear and the words "HI-FI") was above the shop where I worked in 1965! It was RES (Radio Electrical Services). I worked all-day part-time on a Saturday there for £1 a week. The government then reduced the hours that a young person could work to just 4 hours so my earnings halved overnight. I then went on to work full-time at their branch in Far Gosford Street when I first left school (for £5 a week) - moving back to the City Arcade around 1966. It was brilliant, I would go out in my lunch hour, up to Jill Hansons record shop in Smithford Way to buy the latest records (which was actually to the left of the telephones in the first pic - next to Woolies), then return and play it full blast on one of the rather expensive hi-fi setups that we had on display upstairs in the showroom. I also used to buy my lunch from the bakers shop, fifth down on the right - with a "loaf" sign above it (no more clues) I would get two (yes TWO) big baguette type batches filled with hot pork and apple sauce. Actually they were made from a long french stick which would be cut into three - for 2 shillings each - I've just realised, I spent nearly a quarter of my earnings on my lunch! Happy days! [Edit] To the OP, what is the name/ISBN of the book - I'd love to find it

Can anyone remember the gents barber shop that was the first shop on the right as you entered the arcade from the birdcage? I can't recall whether it was part of the Timpsons shoe repairs or was it a separate to the right of that in the pic?

Greetings from the Coventry 'Riviera' It's good to be back home. Hope all are well.

I don't have a copy of the book myself, but I think it was a privately printed/commissioned booklet, so I don't think it has an ISBN, will look into it.

That would be great - thanks.

No ISBN, but here is a link

Thanks for the link! Great to see