NextBackAt the northern end of Church Green is Easemore Road and from here we can travel down Church Green East, into and down Alcester Street to Ipsley Road and Millsborough House.
The first few building of Church Green East are some fine buildings which housed a Hairdresser -
Then there was a building which was many things over the years including A.D. Foulkes, Building Supplies, Togethers Ladies Dress Shop which was opened by Singer, Roy Edwards, “Back in the Day”. Next it was Midlands Handyman, then Tony’s Handyman, owned by Tony Ball and which later moved across the green to the empty Woolworth’s shop in Market Place.
Indicator and Advertiser Offices were also here.
Over the top of this building was, what I think, the first “Foreign” Dentist in the town – Mr Mike -
My memory lets me down a bit next and I am not quite sure of the exact order of the next series of shops but they included:-
Peakman Street runs off Church Green here where you could get access to – Webbs the Bakers and Foulkes’ Builders Yard just inside on the left
Following on from Peakman Street there were a number of well known shops including: Webb's Seed & Corn Stores; A Nursery School; Blunt’s Shoes which later became Britten’s Managed by Keith Laight; Murdoch’s Men’s Outfitters which later became Peel’s Furniture with manager Mr J. Craby – latter still it was Fitzhenry & Green Carpets with partners John Fitzhenry and Paul Green. The shops continued with Dyers Hardware; A Ladies Outfitters trading as “Jane Stuart”, a Hairdresser although the exact sequence I’m not sure about. Next came the Greengrocers -
Richmonds Fish Shop and Brown’s Corn Stores with the Jervis Brothers preceded a Chemist – Hedges followed by gates and a yard leading to a Dentists. Next there was Colin Popham & his Parents Babywear shop which later changed to Wilf Gilbert Betting Shop and finally the “Nags Head” Pub before Smith’s Street.
Smith Street, which led down to Wellington Street, had Mr Freddie Canning and the Blacksmith’s Forge just inside on the right and the “Rising Sun” pub on the opposite corner. Next was a Barber’s, “Braziel’s” followed by Steele’s Butchers with brothers Norman & Walter which later was owned by Mr Fernihough. Spencer's Music Store, they also had a shop in Evesham Street, was next selling Musical Instruments, Art, Souvenir etc. Mr Albert Johnson was a Councillor and father of brothers Mike, Colin and Tony who worked there. “Shakels” Greengrocers followed then Canham’s Outdoor Stores on the corner of Queen Street where Nora Price worked.
Across Queen Street was Shrimpton & Fletcher makers of Surgical Needles, Factory then the Palace Theatre where I remember Mr & Mrs Jack Luty. Mrs Hewston Haberdashery shop selling babywear and woollens completed the row before Grove Street. South of Grove Street was the Redditch Liberal Club, Newman’s a husband and wife run Florists which also sold Greengrocery and Confectionery.
The William’s then had two shops, first the “The Cook Shop” a Delicatessen then a Café & Ice Cream parlour. Memory failure again as I think there was something else here before the Butchers Shop run by elderly lady. Next a character many remember, Albert Lawrence the Shoemender – He sat in a
