Salisbury Promenade, early 1960s

Comment by Hugh on February 12, 2023 at 17:28

When it opened in 1926, Woolworth's was based at 8 Salisbury Promenade, almost next to the Coliseum Cinema. In 1932, it was badly damaged by a fire which started in the Salon du Bal above it. It was refurbished and ran at that location until 1958. Apparently, you could walk through the store from Green Lanes to Harringay Road. It moved up to 17 Grand Parade in 1959 where it ran until at least 1983.

Comment by Geraldine on February 12, 2023 at 18:56

Woolworths was good for Saturday jobs.  Salon Bal - the 'du' somehow was dropped - good for dancing lessons in the early 1960s.

Comment by John Shulver on February 13, 2023 at 12:22

Absolutely correct there Hugh, you could walk through the store from Green Lanes to Harringay Road, did it many times.  And very useful short cut if tipping it down when getting off the bus.  The store had a lovely 'homely' feel in my mind, low ceilings and low 'warm' lighting. I can picture the ceiling being supported by vertical pylons, about 4/5" diameter, painted a maroon colour.  The store was a treat when decorated for Christmas.  Lovely !   Our Mum worked for a couple of years in the new store, such a contrast between the two.

Comment by Hugh on February 13, 2023 at 12:27

Thanks, John.

Comment by Christine Killick on February 13, 2023 at 19:32

Lived opposite in the 1950's and loved Woolworth.  My Mum also loved shopping in Rosen's shown in your photo.  Often watched the trolly buses from the window of our flat, especially when the poles fell off.

Comment by Geraldine on February 14, 2023 at 7:49

I was opposite too, Christine, at the bottom of Seymour next to Jolly's the grocers shop.  Does anyone remember Jolly's with its green tiles?  It closed some time in the 1950s. Provisions such as dried fruit and flour were kept in square containers along the counter.  Whatever you wanted was scooped out and weighed by a lady called, I think, Nicky.  She was really nice.  Used to give me a dried fig whenever I went in there.  I thought the figs were horrible and used to ditch them as soon as I was out of sight.

Comment by Christine Killick on February 14, 2023 at 17:16

Yes Geraldine remember Jolly's.  We lived above a shop in Green Lanes.  The corner shop (newsagents etc) at bottom of Alison Road was one side of us and Wilson's Chemist was the other side.  So we looked straight across to Rosen's.

Comment by Hugh on February 14, 2023 at 17:22

So, Christine, does this ring any bells? (Now, sadly ripped out)

Comment by Christine Killick on February 14, 2023 at 17:33

Yes absolutely Hugh.  We lived at 573 and Mr & Mrs Wilson were lovely people. Mr Wilson often made up cough medicines for us children rather than go to Dr Freeman in the surgery opposite.  They had three children and we often played with them in the back yard. I think they had the chemist from shortly after the war until at least the 1970's.  Our front door was between the Chemist and the Corner Shop.  I believe the premises is now a doctors surgery.  Lovely memories of living there,

Comment by Geraldine on February 14, 2023 at 18:20

We did the same Christine - went to the chemists for minor ailments rather than bother Dr Freeman.  The chemist I remember most was Mr Pirie across on the other side of Green Lanes but we would also have used Wilsons.  Lovely shops with the kind of personal service that's so rare nowadays.  We all knew each other.  Many happy memories!

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