Wood Green High Road c1972

Comment by Lesley Ramm on August 3, 2020 at 15:24

Wow. The QS (Quick Service) restaurant. I remember going  there as a kid with parents. Only other places to eat out were workman's caffs. Waitresses in black with white pinnies. Proper British food. I loved their apple pie with rice.  Great memories 

Comment by Tony on August 3, 2020 at 20:48

I was 6 years old when this photo was taken and remember nearly all of the shops in this area from this time but not sure what the building on the right just before the row of shops is. I thought it might be to do with the railway station but I'm sure that was on the other side of the road. Does anybody know ?

Comment by Hugh on August 3, 2020 at 22:10

Full size image of that area, in case it helps, Tony.

...and a map snippet from 1952. Looks like the buildings in question are 187/189 (triple storey building) and 191 (double storey building)

The most recent Kelly's I have is 1938. Here's what was in those two buildings then.

Comment by Tony on August 3, 2020 at 22:58

Thanks Hugh, I thought that the wheatland furniture shop was on the corner of Alexandra Road unless it moved there some time after the date of this Kelly's publication. I have no recollection at all of the Ten Per Cent Wine Co.

Comment by Hugh on August 3, 2020 at 23:08

Here's the London Phone Book, 1969.

Comment by Tony on August 4, 2020 at 12:49

I'm wondering if Wheatlands relocated to the corner of Alexandra Road when 187/189 were demolished to make way for the shopping city or if my memory is inaccurate and it was never there at all. Also, are there any pictures taken in Blenheim Road floating about as I only vaguely remember it being there ?

Comment by Hugh on August 4, 2020 at 13:23

Last listing I can find for any Wheatlands Wood Green is 1972. So the company probably closed the Wood Green Branch. I've only got one image that shows any of Blenheim. It's this one showing just the edge of the junction with Mayes Road.

Comment by Jeremyb on August 7, 2020 at 10:32

The film advertised at the Odeon is Disney's "Dumbo" which was first released in 1941, but was re-released in August 1972 (according to imdb) so this photo was probably taken around then I should think. In the days before video and DVD, Disney used to re-release their films at intervals to reach new audiences, as they weren't shown on TV at that stage either.  The Odeon was divided into 3 screens the following year, 1973, and the canopy was altered slightly at that time to accommodate 3 film titles.The front of the Odeon/Gaumont is currently covered with scaffolding and plastic sheeting  and is getting a well-earned refurbishment, including removing bird mess, painting and re-pointing. 

Comment by Hugh on August 7, 2020 at 10:42

Thanks Jeremy. That works since the other photo taken at the same time shows the old library, demolished in 1973. I wonder if the photographer (who lived in Redvers Road) was capturing Wood Green before it all changed.

I've changed the photo title to reflect your contribution to our knowledge. 

Comment by Renato B on August 8, 2020 at 15:44

Have still got the £50 worth of Premium Bonds that I bought from that Post Office in Wood Green in 1972.  Won £100 in 1980 and a £25 last year. Still remember buying them, it started my own road to saving .. will never cash those in.... they are part of my Wood Green memories.

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