NextBackOutside St. Stephens Church we cross the road to Hepworth’s - Men’s Outfitters then passed the entrance - Upstairs to Youth Employment Office where Mrs Winifred Savery worked. Next passed the Birmingham Post & Mail Office to the Gas Showrooms, the manager was - Eric Saunders. This later become McDonald’s then the Jade Garden before it burned down. Above this building were a firm of Fly Dressers and next door was Boyd’s Souvenir Shop, then Ellis’ Cake Shop & Café which had a large room above for wedding receptions etc. This establishment was run by Ritchie & Gwen Ellis.
We now cross William Street to Buckley’s Sweet Shop run by Mrs Olive Buckley and her Family. Later her son Roy opened a Travel Agency at the side of shop in William Street called Deighton Buckley Ltd. There was another shop which I can't remember then the Midland Bank. The manager, Mr Jones lived near me in Southmead Crescent. Next door was the Redditch Benefit Building Society and the manager there was a Mr George Freeman who was later replaced by Mr Fred Willis.
Next we cross Church Road with the old Library building before coming to Smallwood Hospital. These buildings are still there today. The big old house next door to the hospital is Red House which contained a Dentist and the Community Health Council whose chairman was Garth Richards.
Probably not remembered by many today we next came to Hill’s Yard then Hemmings Entry which led to the Common. AS you then went down Prospect Hill you passed a Dry Cleaners before the Crown Pub and then towards the Birmingham Road.
