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CASTLE PARK - Before the Blitz - Castle Street
Castle Street Summary

Originally laid out following the demolition of the castle in 1655, Castle Street was built along the Inner Ward of the castle. The road surface of the 1930s was made of tarred wooden blocks - these burned during the blitz of November 1940!
During the 1930s, any rebuilding on the north side of the street meant the frontage had to be moved back to allow for eventual road widening, hence the irregular pavement line.

Street numbers ran consecutively, Nos 1-46 ran along the north side with Nos 47-88 running along the south side in the opposite direction. Without doubt, this is the most fondly remembered street of the area. On Saturday nights it had a fairground atmosphere, with shops open until 10.00 p.m. and the street closed to traffic because of the number of people. Barrow boys added to the scene — they traded in Old Market during weekdays. Many a bargain could be /purchased at closing time, particularly at butcher shops, this being the time before freezers and refrigerators.

While Castle Street was narrow, it did not preclude large retailers (Woolworths, Co-op, British Homes Stores, Marks & Spencer and Boots all had premises in this thoroughfare) establishing themselves so successfully. In the late 1930s John Lewis were trying to gain a site (on the Tower Hill corner), but such was the competition they did not succeed.

The street died on 24 November 1940, when the vast majority of shops were destroyed or so badly: damaged they had to be demolished. Some of the shops survived the war and continued trading into the 1960s (in most cases alternative premises in Broadmead then became available). The last shop to trade was Montague Burton at No.4, who vacated the premises in August 1964 and it was demolished in May 1965.

The entire length of Castle Street remained open until December 1966, and in March 1967 only the part from Old Market Street to Queen Street remained. Queen Street was widened and it formed one continuous road with Castle Street, as it is today.

All that exists of the buildings today is part of the King's Hall of the old castle (this was incorporated into Boots' shop at the time of the November 1940 blitz) and, on the south side just along from the Tower Hill junction, some bricks and metal remains of a few shops.
Castle Street Plan 1938
1-2 Montague Burton, Tailors
3 London Boot Co.,Boots and Shoes
4A J. Lyons & Co., Caterers
5-6 Fifty Shilling Tailors
7 Graftons, Ladies' Outfitters
8 Willerby, Tailors
9 Faiman, Gowns
10 Max Stone Ltd, Wireless Dealers
11 A.L. Salisbury Ltd, Fancy Goods
12-13 Halford's, Cycle Accessories
14 Masters, Clothiers
15 Stuckey & Sons, Hosiers
16 R.Hill & Sons, Cutlers
17 Manchester Clearing House, Domestic Stores
18-22 Bristol Co-op Society

67 J.S. Richards Ltd, Outfitters
68 Luton & Brand, Tailors
69-70 G. Jones & Co. Ltd, Hardware, China and Furniture
71 Standard of England, Public House
72-73 Willsons Ltd, Ladies' Outfitters
74 Timpson, Boots and Shoes
75 Collis.Tailors
76 Easiephit, Footwear
77 Paige, Gowns
77A Castle Food Arcade (Castle Billiards Hall above)
78-79 Savill, Furriers and Costumier
79A Swift Shoe Service, Repairers
80-81 James Barrington, Furrier and Costumier
82 Regent Cinema
83 Wallis, Costumiers
84-86 True-Form, Boots and Shoes
88 Garlick & Sons, Outfitters



Looking along Castle Street from Peter Street, with Montague Burton on the left and Garlick & Sons on the right. (c.1938)
image above: Looking along Castle Street from Peter Street, with Montague Burton on the left and Garlick & Sons on the right. (c.1938)

The following numbers - 1-22 and 67-88 Castle Street

1-2 Montague Burton Ltd - Tailors
This building was on the site known as Apex Corner. Montague Burton had two other shops in Castle Street and also one in Wine Street.

3 London Boot Co. (Upsons Ltd) Bool Dealers

4 & 4a J. Lyons & Co. Ltd - Caterers
The business was listed as a restaurant in a local guide dated 1938, but is remembered as a tea shop. Frequented by many before attending the Regent Cinema, which was opposite, Lyons also had premises at 5 Wine Street. The building survived the blitz but Lyons vacated the premises in November 1940 and by 1944 it was occupied by Montague Burton. It was the last shop to trade in Castle Park. First tea shop opened in London.

5-6 The Fifty Shillings Tailors (Prices Tailors 1928 Ltd) - Tailors
Fifty shillings (£2.50) was the price for a three-piece suit, and for ten shillings (50)p) you could buy an extra pair of trousers. This was one of over 300 depots operated by this company, all located in principal cities and towns.

7 Graftons (Fashion Specialists) Ltd - Ladies' Outfitters
This was the site where Marks & Spencer's Fenny Bazaar originally opened in 1907.

8 Willerby & Co. Ltd - Tailors

9 M. Faiman - Gown Specialists

10 Max Stone Ltd
Wireless Apparatus Dealers Traded from 54 Castle Street after the war.

11 A.L Salisbury Ltd - Fancy Goods

12-13 Halford Cycle Co. Ltd - Cycle Accessories
Halfords also had premises in 3 Narrow Wine Street, which sold cycles, the Castle Street premises concentrating on the sale of cycle accessories. - Upper Floors: On the first and second floors above 12—14 Castle Street were the drawing office and pattern-making shop of Llewellins & James Ltd.

14 Masters & Co. (Clothiers) Ltd Clothiers

15 C. Stuckey & Son Ltd - Hosiers
Between Nos 15 and 16 Castle Street was Star Passage, a lane leading to the Star public house (main entrance in Cock and Bottle Lane).

16 R. Hill & Son - Cutlers
The business was owned by S. Palmer (who had other premises in Bristol) and moved to 82 Gloucester Road after the blitz.

17 The Manchester Clearing House
Domestic Stores (Proprietor: L.W. Woolf) The occupiers of this building changed frequently during the late 1930s, Salisbury, Bags and Merriotts, Radio Dealers being there immediately before The Manchester Clearing House.

18-22 Bristol Co-operative Society Ltd
Department Store (See Below)

23-66 W.J. Welch - Boots & Shoes
Left: Castle Street showing No 16 - R. Hill & Son, Cutlers and No.17 - Manchester Clearing House, Domestic Stores. Bristol Co-operative Society's premises at 18-22 can be seen at the top. (1939)
The north side of Castle Street (No. 16 being the first building on the left) before the new premises for the Bristol Co-operative Society were built. (1927)
The view from the roof of the Bristol Co-operative Society at 18-22 Castle Street. St Peter's Church is on the left and Frys chimney on the right. (1930)
Above: The north side of Castle Street (No. 16 being the first building on the left) before the new premises for the Bristol Co-operative Society were built. (1927)

Above: The view from the roof of the Bristol Co-operative Society at 18-22 Castle Street. St Peter's Church is on the left and Frys chimney on the right. (1930)

Left: Castle Street showing No 16 - R. Hill & Son, Cutlers and No.17 - Manchester Clearing House, Domestic Stores. Bristol Co-operative Society's premises at 18-22 can be seen at the top. (1939)


67 J.S. Richards Ltd - Outfitters
Following the blitz in November 1940 they (like many other retailers in this area) opened premises in Gloucester Road within a month.

68 Luton & Brand

69-70 G. Jones & Co. Ltd
Hardware, China and Furniture The company was established in 1870s at these premises. Following the blitz they moved to premises in Stratton Street.

71 Standard of England - Public House
George Williams bought the pub during the last quarter of the nineteenth century and, in order to have some money on his retirement, sold it to the Bristol United Breweries in 1917. His son, Fred Williams, then took over the running of the pub as Manager and Licensee on 4 June 1917. He continued to do so until the 13 September 1939 when he tragically died and his widow, Daisy (Charlotte Elizabeth), took over as the Manageress and Licensee.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War, the blackout restrictions and curtailed public transport meant that many city-centre pubs were quiet in the evenings, and by November 1940 there was only Daisy and one other employee, barman Alf Bloomer, working at the pub.

It was unusual for Daisy to go out on Sunday, but the night of Sunday 24 November 1940 was an exception. Leaving Alf to open up at 6.30 p.m., she had gone to Filton Park to see her daughter, Renee, and whilst there the air-raid sirens sounded and she spent the night at her daughter's. Back at the pub Alf had just opened when the air raid began so he sought shelter in the cellar of the pub, the stairs to the cellar being towards the back of the bar. At about 7.30 p.m. there was an almighty thud and the back wall of the pub fell out.

Alf came up the stairs and made his way through the bar towards the front door when he fell over something - he lit a match to find out that he had tripped over an unexplocled bomb. He went outside, where he was surrounded by burning buildings including Jones Hardware Store next door (the nightwatchman for Jones had phoned the Fire Station to tell them the building was on fire!). Alf and the nightwatchman went back into the pub to look at the bomb, but a Fire Warden then arrived and told them to go to the nearest air-raid shelter, which was at the far end of Cock and Bottle Lane opposite the pub.

At about 9.30 p.m. the bomb exploded and the pub was completely destroyed. Meanwhile, back at Renee's house in Filton Park, Renee received a phone call from a friend giving the bad news about the bombing of the Standard pub and the friend feared that Mrs Williams had... 'Just a minute,' said the daughter, 'here's mother to talk to you'!

Daisy Williams, like many others that night, lost everything except the clothes she was wearing. What a sad sight it must have been when she saw the bombed remains of what had been her home and workplace for the past twenty-three years. However, Daisy was soon running another pub in order to earn a living and took over The Portcullis in Clifton on 26 March 1941, remaining there until April 1949 when she retired.

72-73 Willsons (L&P) Ltd - Ladies' Outfitters
This company was established in 1933 at these premises and was 'the Head Office of a multiple fashion firm' (advert in Bristol Evening Post 4 October 1940). There was a beauty shop incorporating a hairdressing salon on the first floor (through the Gown Department) and restaurant and cafe on the lower ground floor.

74 William Timpson Ltd - Boot & Shoe Manufacture

75 W.A. & H.H.F. Collis & Co. - Tailors
As well as selling clothes, there was a small workshop where items of clothing were made or altered. They moved to premises in Gloucester Road immediately after the November 1940 blitz.

76 Easiephit Footwear Ltd - Footwear (Proprietor: Greenlees & Sons Ltd)
Savill of Castle Street
The premises of Willsons at 72-73 Castle Street seen from the junction of Cock and Bottle Lane. (c.1935)
An advertisement for G. Jones & Co., who had
Center: The premises of Willsons at 72-73 Castle Street seen from the junction of Cock and Bottle Lane. (c.1935)

Left: An advertisement for Savill, Costumiers, who had premises in Castle Street. (1932)

Right: An advertisement for G. Jones & Co., who had premises in Castle Street. (1939)

77 Paige Gowns Ltd - Gown Specialists
Paige Gowns also had premises at 22 Wine Street.

Down a passage between Nos 77 and 78 Castle Street and behind Nos 76 and 77 were the premises of Yeoman Serle & Co., Hat, Cap and Hosiery Wholesalers (their address was also 76-77 Castle Street), who were established in 1873. They continued trading after the war from premises in Brunswick Square.

77a Castle Food Arcade
Access was down the passage between Nos 77 and 78, where the following businesses traded: - F.A. Martin, Fishmongers -E, Warbntton, Confectioner
- H. Booth, Greengrocer - F.H. Long, Ice-cream seller - F.JV. Simmonds, Grocer
- F.R. Harding, Butcher - F. Patter, Butcher - Smele & Sou, Greengrocer (This company's first shop was opened in 1882 in Bedminster and others soon opened. They were the first greengrocers in Bristol to sell bananas, in 1901).
Upper Floor: Castle Billiards Hall (there was a similar billiards hall at 20 Lower Castle Street). This building survived the blitz and in 1944 British Home Stores occupied the ground floor (and traded here into the 1950s) with the billiards hall still above (which continued until the building was demolished in 1963).

78-79 Savill - Costumiers - Furriers
(Proprietor: John V. Hutton Ltd)

79a Swift Shoe Service - Shoe Repairs

80-81 James Barrington - Costumier
This building survived the blitz and Harrington's continued to trade from here into the 1950s.

82 The Regent Cinema
(See Below)

83 Wallis & Co. (Costumiers) Ltd - Costumiers
The premises survived the war and Wallis continued to trade here until the site was cleared in 1963.

84-86 True-Form Boot Co. - Bootmakers
(Proprietor: J. Sears & Co. Ltd) The premises survived the blitz and the company continued to trade here until the building was demolished in 1963.

87-88 Garlick & Sons Ltd - Men's Outfitters
This company was established in 1846 at 87 Castle Street by Charles Garlick, who made and sold hats. He was succeeded by his sons (Fred and George), who extended the premises by acquiring 88 and 24 Peter Street (next to 88). Then the business involved the sale of men's shirts, ties, gloves, hats and hosiery, but by the mid-193()s they also sold men's sportswear, swimwear and footwear and were also outfitters for Scouts, Guides, cyclists, etc. These premises were destroyed by the blitz of 24 November 1940, but the company continued to trade trom several other premises in Bristol. In 1973, the company was taken over by Wildings Ltd.
Garlick & Sons had premises at 87-88 Castle Street -this distinctive sign still exists today in Whiteladies Road, one of the premises where Garlick's traded after the war.
Above: Garlick & Sons had premises at 87-88 Castle Street -this distinctive sign still exists today in Whiteladies Road, one of the premises where Garlick's traded after the war.

Bristol Co-operative Society Ltd
A timetable of the activities of the society:

1884 Bristol & District Co-operative Society formed and began trading at 32 Houlton Street, St Paul's, on 26 February. - 1905 Combined with the Bedminster Co-operative Society in July. - 1916 The Society's own Education Department was established at 11 High Street. - 1918 The site at 18 Castle Street was acquired. - 1928 The Education Department moved to The Scott Chambers above 73 Castle Street. Secretary was Arthur W. Cox.

1930 As stated in the Society's own souvenir brochure, 'the greatest event in the history of the Society took place when the new Central Premises in Castle Street (formerly at Lawrence Hill) were opened on 29 March. The premises are designed with quiet dignity and in true harmony with the work of the Georgian period'. The building had a dungeon, which was originally part of the old castle. The cost of the building was £80,000

The building was split into two sections:Facing Castle Street
Basement Cafe, ladies' and gentlemen's hairdressers (appointment necessary), quick-service bazaar and stockrooms. Ground floor Drapery, men outfitters, clothes, shoes and tobacco kiosk. First floor Mantles, millinery, furs and underclothes. Second floor Furnishings, offices and boardrooms. Third floor
China, hardware, committee rooms, tailors' workroom, employee's mess room and kitchen.

The facade to Castle Street was of Portland Stone and the long range of arcaded shop fronts were in bronze metal and framed in a bold architrave of black polished granite. A pneumatic cash carrier system served all floors. Heating was in panel systems, gently radiated from the ceiling. A sprinkler system protected the whole ot the building from the risk of serious fire.

Facing Castle Green Ground and First floor Warehouse (communicated with rear of the sales departments) and loading bay. Second floor A large meeting hall until a 600-seat capacity and cinema-operating room. The facade to Castle Green was of reconstructed Portland Stone.

1932 The building next to the rear of the premises in Castle Green, which once-served as a chapel, was purchased and used as furniture showroom, drapery and outfitters. The building on the opposite side of Castle Green (No.24) was acquired and demolished. In September 1937, a new building was opened on the site to provide offices (facing Castle Green) and an Education Centre (entrance in Broad Weir), thus allowing the sales departments in Castle Street to expand.

The Education Centre (the Secretary was still Arthur Cox) provided day and evening classes for both senior and junior employees. There was a bridge at second-floor level connecting the new building with the Castle Street premises.

1938 New departments along Cock and Bottle Lane were completed for a chemist (with pharmacy), confectionery, optician, footwear and furnishings. The main premises now included chiropody and jewellery departments. The Education Centre premises included a travel bureau, which also organised excursions to shows in London and trips abroad. At this time, approximately 280 staff were employed, some temporary.

1940 Premises extensively damaged following the blitz of 24 November. The premises were repaired and continued trading on a reduced basis until I960 (site cleared 1963) when Fairfax House opened. Fairfax House was demolished in 1988 to make way for the Galleries Shopping Mall.
A corner of the Crush Hall at the Regent in Castle Street. (1928)
The Regent Cinema
(Proprietors: Provincial Cinematograph Theatres Ltd)

When this theatre was opened on Monday 30 July 1928 it was described as 'a place of high-class entertainment, not just a cinema'. The opening night programme (which changed weekly) featured the silent film The Magic Flame (starring Robert Colman and Vilma Blanky), a troupe of nine called The Regent Girls, Graham and Douglas (the Inseparable Dancers) and Mademoiselle Rita Colere (continental soprano singer), all supported by The Regent Orchestra, a twenty-two-piece symphony orchestra. In addition, there was a Wurlitzer organ which would rise from beneath the stage.

On the opening day the manager was E.A. Barry and the organist Frank Matthews. The architect of the building was W.H. Watkins who designed several Bristol cinemas, including The News Theatre in Peter Street.

image Left: A corner of the Crush Hall at the Regent in Castle Street. (1928)

The main entrance in Castle Street opened into a spacious Crush Hall (this eliminated queues outside the building and allowed 1,000 people to wait in comfort and under cover) with wide staircases giving easy access to the Tea Lounge and auditorium, the latter with an impressive domed roof.

The decoration was generally on Roman lines, being very grand and palatial and enhanced by the predominant colours of ivory, Titian reds, purple and gold. There were 2,014 seats and standing room for 212 at the back of the stalls.

The entrance to the stalls was in Peter Street, between Smarts and St Peter's Church, and had its own Crush Hall. The Tea Lounge was 120ft long and customers were admitted even if not seeing the film. The Regent Special Tea was served on a dainty tray and could be consumed while watching the film. The floor area of the stage was about 2,000ft and had adjacent dressing rooms, making the venue suitable for various forms of entertainment.

When first opened there were continuous programmes from 2.00 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. and the admission price for the front circle (the most expensive seats) was two shillings (10p) this was reduced for matinees and increased for Saturday evenings and Bank Holidays. The first talking film shown was The Donovan Affair on 19 August 1929. By the late 1930s the programme involved two films, newsreel and music taking an average of three and a half hours to complete. In 1940 the manager was G.A. Foster, who replaced H. Davids in October 1938, and who was in turn transferred to the Ritz in Bedminster.

The days of the Regent being Bristol's premier cinema were short-lived as, following the blitz on 24 November 1940, it was severely damaged. (Fortunately this was a Sunday night and it was closed - the following week was to have been the cinema's first Sunday opening and casualties may have been catastrophic). However, the structure was far from totally destroyed and the basic layout of the building still remained intact five years later. Aerial shots show walls remaining, but minus the roof this appearing to be the building's weak point. The building was of concrete and steel construction, but the dome appears to have been easily broken and fire bombs penetrated and quickly consumed the plush interior fittings. In the 1950s the remains were temporarily repaired and used as offices called Underwood House. Demolition of this building and eventual clearance of the site commenced in August 1963.

Could the Regent have been restored to its original splendour? Interior fittings were relatively easy to replace, but it was probably the repair of the roof, which would have been both difficult and costly, which caused problems. While the proprietors appeared keen to re-open the Regent, post-war building restrictions were in place and the council wanted a range of public buildings (including a new museum and art gallery) to occupy the area, so it was not clear if a cinema would fit in with these plans. The general uncertainty of the time meant decisions could not be made and, as time went by, thoughts of rebuilding the Regent ebbed away. It took nearly twenty-five years to clear the site and when today's Castle Park was designed how appropriate it would have been if the council had included some form of memorial (for example, a grass amphitheatre) on the site of what was probably Bristol's greatest cinema.

Cock and Bottle Lane

This was a narrow cobbled lane (wide enough for traffic), which connected Castle Green with Castle Street. It was laid out approximately along the site of the wall which divided the Outer and Inner Wards of the old castle. The Cock and Bottle Tavern, after which the lane was named, existed in the area in the eighteenth century.

In 1940, the premises of Llewellins & James occupied most of the west side, together with the Castle Street shop of Masters, Clothiers. Opposite Masters was Stuckeys, Hosiers shop, next to this being the Star public house and then various departments of the Co-op (completed in 1938 following demolition of old houses on the site) to the Castle Green corner. The landlord of the Star was W.G. Arthur,

All the buildings in Cock and Bottle Lane were destroyed following the blitz on 24 November 1940. The Co-op building was repaired and a single-storey extension built on the site of the Star public house and Stuckeys. The Co-op's premises were demolished and the site cleared by 1963, when Cock and Bottle Lane disappeared.
Looking along Castle Street from near the junction with Tower Street, which is off to the right, (c.1926)
Castle Street Plan 23-66
Castle Street - 23 - 66

23 W.J. Welch & Co., Boots/Shoes
24 Montague Burton, Tailors
25 Fleming Reid, Hosier
26 A.T. Hart, Butcher
27 Freeman, Hardy & Willis, Boots/Shoes
28-31 Marks & Spencer Ltd
32 Westons, Gowns
33 Gibbs & Co., Tobacconists
34 Lion Clothiers, Outfitters
35-38 Boots, Chemists
39-40 Montague Burton, Tailors
41 Post Office
42-43 Shirley Bros, Department Store
44 Donegal Tweed Co., Tailors
45-46 Olivers, Boots/Shoes

47-48 Foster Bros, Clothiers
49 Weaver to Wearer, Tailors
50 Home & Colonial Stores,Grocers
51-52 British Home Stores
51A Castle Basket Works, Basketmakers
53 The Old Castle, Public House
53A F. Hinds Ltd, Jewellers
54 Hodges, Clothiers
54A H. Samuel Ltd, Jewellers
55 Russell Bros, Tailors
56 David Greig Ltd, Provision Dealers
57 Brooks, Cleaners
58 Peacocks Bazaar
59 Three Cups & Salmon, Public House
60 Whitbys, Costumiers and Furriers
61 Dodgson, Costumiers
62 Wynns Ltd, House Furnishers
63-65 F.H. Woolworth & Co. Ltd
66 Hepburns, Milliners


Image Above: Looking along Castle Street from near the junction with Tower Street, which is off to the right, (c.1926)

23 W.J. Welch & Co. - Boots and Shoes
Shoes were displayed outside the shop by being hung on string in rows. The building dates back to the seventeenth century, when it was probably a house.

24 Montague Burton Ltd - Tailors
This was one of three shops Montague Burton had in Castle Street, as well as one in Wine Street.

25 Fleming Reid & Co. Ltd - Hosier - Manufacture

26 A.T. Hart - Butcher
This London-based firm opened these premises in the early 1930s and were the first butchers in Bristol to mark individual pieces ot meat with the weight and price. At the time of the November 1940 blitz there were seven employees (six butchers and a female cashier). The manager, A. Thomas, originally lived above the shop, but moved out two weeks before the blitz when the premises were destroyed. Immediately after the blitz, the business continued in temporary premises at 5 Old Market Street.

27 Freeman Hardy & Willis - Boots Shoes
In the mid-1930s, staff included the manager, Mr A. Ward (replaced by Mr Hathway by the time of the blitz). Miss Olive Darch, John Fry, May Barter and Mr Foxworthy. Male staff wore black coats, waistcoats and pinstripe trousers; female staff wore brown dresses. Later opened a shop in Broadmead.

28-31 Marks & Spencer Ltd - Department Store
This company was established in 1884, originally being run from a stall in a Leeds open market. It came to Bristol in the 1900s, running a market stall in Upper Arcade, and in 1907 it opened a Penny Bazaar at 7 Castle Street, moving to 30—31 Castle Street in 1924.

On 1 December 1930, a new building at 28-31 Castle Street opened, these premises extending to Castle Green (where there was a public entrance on the corner of Tower Street) — its walls of red brick looking out of place with the grey stone walls of most of the Castle Green buildings. This building had 18,000ft of floor space over three floors (in Broadmead today Marks & Spencer has 57,000ft).

The premises were destroyed in the November 1940 blitz and the company moved to temporary premises in East Street, Bedminster, until 17 July 1952, when they occupied their current premises in Broadmead.

32 Westerns (Brixton) Ltd - Gown Specialists

33 Gibbs & Co. - Tobacconist
In the 1920s, Gibbs occupied Nos 32 and 33 Castle Street. One of several specialist tobacco shops in the area selling Bluebell and Blackbell pipe tobacco (the latter was stronger).

34 The Lion Clothiers - Outfitters
This firm occupied these premises on the corner of Tower Street since before 1900. Upper Floors: F. Webber & Son, Ticket Writer - H. Slade Tailor.

35-38 Boots the Chemist
The building was new when Boots first occupied the premises in 1935. No.35 (on Tower Street corner) was previously the post office (it moved to 41 Castle Street when Boots took over the site). The building incorporated King's Hall, the only remains of the old castle which existed above ground (this still exists today) and was used by staff as an air-raid shelter during early part of the Second World War. Operated a lending library for customers. Destroyed in November 1940 blitz.

39-40 Montague Burton Ltd - Tailor
This shop opened around 1923 and was one of three shops Montague Burton had in Castle Street.
An advertisement for Lion Clothiers, who had premises in Castle Street. (1937)
The premises of Freeman Hardy & Willis at No.27 Castle Street taken from the entrance door, the men's department in the foreground and ladies'and children's shoes towards the back, up the steps. (1938)
Boots the Chemists on the corner of Castle Street and Tower Street, (c.1938)
Above: The premises of Freeman Hardy & Willis at No.27 Castle Street taken from the entrance door, the men's department in the foreground and ladies'and children's shoes towards the back, up the steps. (1938)

Above. Boots the Chemists on the corner of Castle Street and Tower Street, (c.1938)

41 Post Office
Open 8.00 a.m. - 7.30 p.m. on weekdays. Until the 1920s, a large tower of the old castle was still visible above ground behind this building.

42-43 Shirley Brothers Ltd - Department Store
This business was 'similar to Woolworths, but more expensive', and tended to specialise in ladies' clothes. Moved to temporary premises in East Street, Bedminster, after November 1940 blitz.

Between Nos 43 and 44 Castle Street was Holmes Place, a narrow passage leading to very old houses which were demolished in 1937.

44 Donegal Tweed Co. Ltd - Tailors

45-46 George Oliver (Footwear) Ltd
Boot Salesman Upper Floors:W. Shipway Holder, Dentist - Platiiial Denture Co. Ltd, Dental Mechanics - Mrs' K.R. Maxwell, Ladies' Hairdresser J.C. Mantle.

47-48 Foster Brothers Clothing Co. Ltd - Clothiers
The site was acquired by Foster Brothers in 1930 and rebuilt. It specialised in boys' clothes and school uniforms, including the local Castle School. The premises were destroyed in the November 1940 blitz when the business moved to temporary premises at Lawrence Hill, and eventually to Broadmead. Upper Floors: J.A. Alpine Ltd, Warehouseman - People's Teeth Association (Dentists) Ltd.

49 Weaver to Wearer Ltd - Tailors

50 Home & Colonial Stores Ltd - Grocers
These premises were rebuilt at the same time as British Home Stores next door and opened in 1933, when Home & Colonial Stores moved in. After the blitz they moved to Lower Castle Street, occupying one shop in a row of hastily-built single-storey premises.

51-52 British Homes Stores Ltd - Department Store
These premises were opened on 23 November 1933, having been built at a cost of £25,000 -there were 150 staff (mainly girls) and none of the items sold cost more than five shillings (25p). There was also an entrance in Tower Hill, with an identical facade. After the blitz of 24 November 1940, the business moved to the ground floor of the Castle Food Arcade at 77A Castle Street.
The Old Castle public house at No.53 Castle Street. On the right is an archway leading to Castle Basket Works, (c. 1934)
An advertisement for Hodges & Sons, Clothiers at No.54 Castle Street. (1937)
An advertisement for Whitbys, costumiers, whose premises were in Castle Street (1937)
Image Above Left: The Old Castle public house at No.53 Castle Street. On the right is an archway leading to Castle Basket Works, (c. 1934)

Image Above Right: An advertisement for Hodges & Sons, Clothiers at No.54 Castle Street. (1937)

Image Left: An advertisement for Whitbys, costumiers, whose premises were in Castle Street (1937)

53 The Old Castle - Public House
Landlady: Mrs E.D. Griffin Brewery: Bristol United Beers

51a Castle Basket Works - Basketmakers
(Proprietor: D.E. Lloyd) Entry to the premises was through a small arch between The Old Castle pub and Hinds.

53a F. Hinds Ltd - Jewellers
This company was established in 1856 and these premises opened on 31 August 1927. The premises survived the war and Hinds traded here until its demolition in April 1964.

54 Hodges & Sons (Clothiers) Ltd - Men's Clothiers
The company, which had Welsh origins, occupied these premises when they opened in 1926. The building survived the blitz and was then occupied by Max Stone, Wireless Dealers (at 10 Castle Street before the blitz) until its demolition in April 1964. Pre-war, behind Hodges was the Bristol Clothing & Supply Co. Ltd, who took orders to deliver clothes to people in outlying areas (equivalent to today's mail-order business).

54a H. Samuel Ltd - Jewellers
These premises were opened in 1936 and was one of ninety-nine shops operated in the UK (also at 2 Wine Street) belonging to this Manchester-based company. The premises survived the war and Samuels continued to trade here until its demolition in April 1964.

55 Russell Brothers - Tailors
Upper Floors:W.C. Milton, Dental Surgeon T.J. Whatley, Manager - This building survived the war and was occupied by Slendos prior to its demolition in April 1964.
56 David Greig Ltd - Provision Dealers
David Greig occupied these premises from 1936. They often displayed meat, chicken and rabbits hanging outside the premises. The facade was of white marble, as was much of the interior (typifying this particular trade's need for optimum cleanliness) — this construction no doubt contributing to its survival of the blitz. At the rear of the premises (reached via a small lane between Nos 54A and 55) was a building where sausages were made. David Greig traded here until its demolition in April 1964. Later opened a store in Keynsham.

57 Brooks Dye Works - Cleaners
Brooks was established in 1819, this being their first premises. As the company expanded, new main premises were opened at Ashley Vale in 1906, the Castle Street premises remaining as one of many others in the Bristol area.

58 Peacocks Stores Co. Ltd
Known as Peacocks Bazaar in the 1920s, it only sold items costing 1d. After the war the company traded from premises in Clarence Road, Bedminster.

59 Three Cups & Salmon - Public House
Landlord: R.C. Powles Brewery: Georges (formerly Ashton Gate Brewery, who were taken over by Georges in 1932).

60 Whitby's - Costumiers and Furriers

61 Dodgson (1928) Ltd - Costumiers

62 Wynns Ltd - House Furnishers

63-65 F.W. Woolworth & Co. Ltd - Department Store
By 1926, Woolworths Penny Bazaar was trading from Nos 63 and 65 Castle Street, No.64 being occupied by Luton & Brand. Following the acquisition of No.64 (Luton & Brand moved to No.68), the premises were modernised, including a restaurant/cafeteria on a mezzanine upper floor. On the top of the building on the Queen Street and Castle Street corner was a prominent dome.

66 Hepburns Hats - Milliners
(Proprietors: Wilsons (C&P) Ltd)
Castle Park - Before the Blitz - High Street

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