Forum Topic

Are these old Ealing names familiar?

Do any of these Ealing names ring a bell?:Rowses,  Lamertons,  Bentalls,  Sanders,  Clay Bros,  Abernethies,  Howards,  Maxwells, Albany,  Barton’s,  Naughts and Crosses,  J Lyons, ABC, Cullen’s, Young’s, Co-operative Permanent,  Mo’s Enterprises,  Squires,  The Feathers,  The Victoria,  The Forum,  The Walpole,  Annexe, Sellars(or Sellar Bros), Parker’s  bread.       

Gerry Tan ● 4557d89 Comments

I raced on a Scottie frame

Paul lucas ● 3176d

Gerry, I remember it like it was yesterday.Also remember waking up the following morning, under the duvet, fully dressed including my shoes and trenchcoat!!!

Nigel Brooks ● 4533d

1980 eh Nigel?  Were you Brahms and Liszt that night, or don't you remember?

Gerry Tan ● 4533d

It was indeed Crispin's and one of the locations of my 'stag night' in March 1980!

Nigel Brooks ● 4533d

Anyone remember what Wetherspoon's used to be before it was the Hogs Head? Wasn't that the larger Crispin's Wine Bar?I remember they used to have a late bar upstairs which was (unsurprisingly) very popular.

John Walker ● 4533d

The history of the Underground in West London, the way lines and stations were altered often within the space of a couple of years is heaven sent for anyone with anorak tendencies.South Ealing Station opened in 1883 on the site of the present stationhttp://preview.tinyurl.com/jwhemeaThis was on the District Line to Hounslow Town the trains of which ran on an embankment on a line which swung round a curve to an elevated station on the site of the present Hounslow Bus Garage.Norhfields Halt opened in 1908.http://preview.tinyurl.com/kusj9h5But was rebuilt within a couple of yearshttp://preview.tinyurl.com/lv6lganBoth of these stations were on what is now the depot side of the road.When the Piccadilly Line was extended alongside the District, a depot was built at Northfields and so when Northfields Station was rebuilt in 1932 it was moved to the other side of the road, in its present position.The story goes that it was only after completion of the rebuilt Northfields that it was realised by an LT manager standing on the platform just how close the two stations were.  In addition in order to providefour tracks under the bridge to accomodate the Pic it had been necessary to demolish the Old SouthEaling Station and build a temporary structure in its place.http://preview.tinyurl.com/l9gwgfjThe reason it was a "temporary" structure was because the original intention had been to close South Ealing and open a new station on Ascott Avenue.A temporary structure which in fact lasted until 1988.Meanwhile to placate residents of South Ealing who didn't fancy walking all the way to Ascott Avenue another temporary* entrance to Northfields Station was built on Weymouth Avenue. Part of the elevated walkway leading from  Weymouth Avenueto the end of the  platform at Northfields can still be seen beside the track.http://preview.tinyurl.com/l3oejtzMost of these plans were scotched by the war and or more pressing priorities.*A similarly temporary station was erected during the rebuilding of Ealing Common and seems to be to an LT standard design.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 4533d

Anyone remember what Wetherspoon's used to be before it was the Hogs Head? I can't for the life of me remember.I learned to drive in 1984 at BSM,now gone and I recall that there used to be,in the parade next to the Allied Irish bank(opp. Gino's) a locksmith,a bookies and a launderette.I know a bloke who,in 1977 lost most of his wages in the bookies one day and that evening,after a libation or 10,put his foot through their window in vengeance.Except that he chose the wrong shop whilst in his cups, he chose the innocent launderette!

Keith Iddon ● 4533d

I remember Frank. Job's was at the top end of Leighton Road, became shops (one of which was a great printers run by a chap and his elderly mother) and is now an 'hotel/guest house'.

Nigel Brooks ● 4533d

I remember the Job's milk floats well as when I was a kid in the 70s a small gang of us used sit on the back and help deliver the milk. We'd get a packet of Jaffa Cakes for our troubles. Frank and Wally were the Job's milkmen back then.God knows how many rules and regulations that would break in today's world.

John Walker ● 4533d

Mo's Enterprise was formerly Cox's and was more or less the same sort of shop.Sold batteries and light bulbs etc and was then right next door to the wooden South Ealing Staion of which an identical structure existed behind Nothfields library and was the earlier temporary station for Northfields ( as was South Ealng!)Right  Opposite Cox's was Cocks garage, a white building ( Garages were always painted white around here ) with a large red neon sign saying COCKS. They were an SU carburretter specialist and often had Morgans in the place presumably from F H Douglas.Then there was a Barbers on the other side of the station bridge but now right next door to the station Robey Bros I think. was a great guy there called Peter who cut my hair for years. and a photographers shop next door which became a photo library and then vanished.There was a pair of garages/service station either side of the Conservative club in St Mary's Road used to have a large National Benzole sign on the wall of the next shop which was Simpkins sweet shop and became the sub post office.Hawko was also in South Ealing road and was confusing as everyone called it Hawkins.Then there was Barry's General Grocers on the corner of Trent Avenue and Dorset/Overdale roads and an original Polish shop on the corner of Trent Avenue and Windemere road. Can't remember what that was called.There was another run by a welsh lady on the corner of Weymouth Avenue and Little Ealing lane.Clarks Bakers in South Ealing Road. I think they had 2 others in Ealing.Then there was Coombes the bakers in  Northfields and I think they had a second shop somewhere too and E R Green in Junction road as well as a small grocers on the corner of Radbourne and Ealing Park Gardens.There were quite a lot of little corner shops right up till the end of the 70sThere was a huge choice of milk deliverers. We had three for a while in our road. Express, Job's and Co-Op then Express moved out and United dairies took over their round.They all had different milk floats. The Co-Op had the most varied with electric hand carts originally green and cream with LCS on them and a load of  driven  floats from ones where the milkman had to stand to drive it through to some bigger and faster seated ones which all eventually got repainted into Co-OP turquoise and white.. Dozens of them used to slip out of the dairy where Wickes is now.All the Co-Op floats had number plates that were similar. Our regular one was KAN 232 but there was CAN, RAN, NAN , FAN,  WAN, TAN and DAN.Job's had unpainted alloy electric milk floats with shiny red wheels and always looked smart .United Dairies had a huge local operation and their milk floats were almost all identical 3 wheeled Wales & Edwards Orange and white painted.They became Unigate and then Dairy crest and those milk floats lasted for decades as did out milkman Trevor, who died last year. For 25 of his 35 years he had the same float 531 KME which had been on the same round from 1968. Funny the trivia you take in as a schoolkid. I would not notice any of this stuff nowadays

Michael Brandt ● 4533d

Great to see Bill Bunn still going strong.

Nigel Brooks ● 4533d

Sometimes I do.When I first arrived Geraldton did not have any traffic lights or TV.It was a bit if a culture shock.Does Boots the Chemist still exist by the way?Weather is much better than Ealing though.It is bright sunlight now and only 8.30am and yet it is winter!Geraldton is on the coast too witht he beautiful Indian Ocean at its door.I do have spare beds should anyone want to visit too.

Constance Ella Sullivan ● 4534d

The reason I made the mistake in the post, is because I was checking two shops, what became Mo's Enterprise at 84 and what's now Billy Bunn motorcycles at 194 South Ealing Road. It turns outthat in 1965 194 was already selling motorbikes. But for some reason at some point I thought the shops were connected in some way. From memory maybe they were both painted red and looked similar. Anyway it looks like another trip to the Library is on the cards to check some more years.    michael adams

Michael Adams ● 4534d

It's still funny.  :-)

Tony Colliver ● 4534d

Ah, now I see what you mean, I won't ruin it for everyone else.

Nigel Brooks ● 4534d

Tony Wood wroteNext... Ezekials second hand shop and the famous "skull not for sale" sign,we used to take it in turns to stick our heads round the door and ask "How much is the skull mister?"Seemed funny at the time ...but in retrospect??.........Hi Tony I assume Ezikials though I didn't know the name was the shop (grimy yellow paint)on the corner with most of the stuff in the windowcovered in dust. I don't remember the skull but in later years I seem to remember a very questionable painting of a nude lady in the window. Which could probably have got him locked up - or maybe did in the end.Looking back it makes you wonder how he ever made a living from that shop. Later I don't think  anything moved in that shop for a couple of years. Maybe the bloke died and left it to a relative or something.  michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 4534d

Nigel Brooks wroteAccording to my 1971 Kemp's, 184 South Ealing Road was a butcher's so where does the 'type of apple' come in?....Indeed. My mistake Mo's Enterprise was of course at no 84. As a quick Google on "Mo's Enterprise" will confirm despite their having long moved on.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 4534d

According to my 1971 Kemp's, 184 South Ealing Road was a butcher's so where does the 'type of apple' come in?

Nigel Brooks ● 4534d

Gooday, how does Western Australia compare with Ealing Constance? Do you miss the "buzz" of Ealing?

Gerry Tan ● 4534d

Ahh Thanks for that Michael!Yes Ince was the name I was looking for...phew well done,I can relax now :0)The estate agent was next door and you are right the two houses were at an angle to each other,the estate agent had a big sign over the pavement that you could walk under,a bit like gallows.Anyway that's were I bought the timber for my first solid guitar,it was totally useless but did make a noise for a while,it was a cross between playing a cheese a cheese grater and barbed wire. :0)Next... Ezekials second hand shop and the famous "skull not for sale" sign,we used to take it in turns to stick our heads round the door and ask "How much is the skull mister?"Seemed funny at the time ...but in retrospect??

Tony Wood ● 4534d

I remember most of those names.Also Lilley and Skinner's.I have been here in Western Australia for 50 years now too.

CONSTANCE ELLA SULLIVAN ● 4534d

Did they own Bucknells sports in Boston road Hanwell?

Michael Brandt ● 4534d

Bucknell's House has always had a name plaque by the front door as long as I've lived in The Grove, which is over 30 years now!

Dave Hawley ● 4534d

Gerry Tan asked:Do any of these Ealing names ring a bell?Mo’s Enterprises, Hi Gerry I bought my first blank video tapes from Mo's Enterprise. JVC 180 minutes for 2.99 each. Good ones as compared with later with proper plastic sleeves.(And they still play as good as new) Your post got me thinking as to what the shop was called before.I thought I knew, but Google drew a complete blank with the name and any connection with 184 South Ealing Road,even after knocking out all the Estage Agents puffery.Anyway I went to the library and checked a Kemps directory and my guess was correct.Can you remeber what the name was ?Theres a clue after 110987654321A type of apple. michael adams... 

Michael Adams ● 4535d

Tony Wood asked :What I want to know is the name of the hardware shop that used to be near Northfields station,that was allowed to open on sundays -------------------------------------------------------Tony, Would E&H Ince be any good? At 216 Northfields Avanue the other side of the road to the station ?Your remark about them opening on Sunday makes a lot of sense as I remember they often laid out lots of stuff, flower pots etc on the triangle of pavement in front of the two houses that were set back at an angle to the left of their shop. The point being that according to Kemps Directory anyway, the right hand house next to their shop was Warlow Estate Agents.This has solved a puzzle that must have been at the back of my mind since I first noticed it maybe 50 or more years ago and then forgot all about. What was an Estate Agent doing selling flower pots ? michael adams... 

Michael Adams ● 4535d

Amen to that.Unbelievable vandalism done to beautiful Victorian properties in his name.I sometimes wonder how come he wasn't prosecuted for offences against our heritage.

Tony Colliver ● 4536d

Arrrrgh woodchip!!!Score, steam, scrape.Score, steam, scrape.Score, steam, scrape.Then spend hours filling the gouges and cracks that the woodchip was covering! :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 4536d

Gerry's favourite - Bucknells House is in the Grove, corner of Oxford Road. Came past there recently and noticed there was a name plaque by the door, which am sure wasn't there a few years ago. Don't know if the woodchip and hardboard covered doors are still there, suspect not.

Chris Edwards ● 4536d

Andy, maybe there is a Bucknell house in Hanwell, but the one we're talking about is in Ealing W5(The Grove I think) and its still there. Crickey, I still cringe when I think of woodchip wallpaper!

Gerry Tan ● 4536d

>>Chris Edwards wrote>> Bucknells House in the Grove. An old house, restored by TV DIY man Barry Bucknell for a BBC TV series in the 1960's.>>AH replies>>That's interesting , Chris.  I had heard that a house in Balfour Avenue, Hanwell was one that featured on 60's tv with Barry Bucknell, allegedly he designed and had it built ?

Andy Horridge ● 4536d

Good grief Chris, reminding me of Barry Bucknell sends cringes down my spine! 50 years ago, he was my idol - I would follow and rejoice in his every action like a devoted slave!Now, I cringe at the thought of fixing a sheet of hardboard over beautiful panelled Victorian doors to prevent dust from gathering and getting rid of old skirting boards and plaster cornices! The Good Lord forgive me, what was I thinking of then? Poor old Bucknell was a DIY Philistine of the first order!

Gerry Tan ● 4536d

What I want to know is the name of the hardware shop that used to be near Northfields station,that was allowed to open on sundays because the owners were Seventh day adventists,nearby there was a blue police tardis box with an air raid siren that put the fear of God up me when it was tested as I was passing.The name has been bugging me since this thread started,almost three weeks ago.

Tony Wood ● 4537d

IIRC, Captain Wooducks burnt down and was refitted as Duffy's, run for a while at least by the Mr Duffy of Pitshanger Lane fame.

Sam Salisbury ● 4537d

You're probably right,on reflection the G.E.S.was a bit peripatetic and I think ended up a bit further up St.Marys Rd.

Tony Wood ● 4537d

Must have been two schools there as the one that is now Ealing Court Mansions wasn't built until 1867 and was a girl's school.

Nigel Brooks ● 4537d

"And still local, office building corner of Warwick Road and St Marys Road used to be used as Z Cars police headquarters"Indeed it was and that was the building in which I worked for the Johnson Floor Company (now long gone). We had most of the building but part was sub-let to Celotex a huge company making insulation boards.

Nigel Brooks ● 4537d

I think you may mean The Great Ealing School Gerry.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Ealing_School

Tony Wood ● 4537d

Gerry, I vaguely remember a big old building there, but am sure it wasn't a school by then. I delivered papers to Ealing Court Mansions in the mid-1960's.Speaking of buildings - Bucknells House in the Grove. An old house, restored by TV DIY man Barry Bucknell for a BBC TV series in the 1960's. Was quite dis-illusioned when I realised that Mr. Bucknell didn't do it all himself, but had a team of builders in.And still local, office building corner of Warwick Road and St Marys Road used to be used as Z Cars police headquarters.Same side of Warwick Road just past that a shoe repairers. The owner always looked shabby and poor, but if you saw him lock up for the night, was expensively dressed and had a Merc parked around the corner.

Chris Edwards ● 4537d

Gerry, a bit of web 'sleuthing' reveals that is was built in 1867 as one of Lord Shaftesbury's Industrial Schools for Girls.  I neither remember it as a school nor can I find when it stopped operating as such. It was certainly pre-1973 as my first job, as a trainee quantity surveyor was in the building opposite WLU (then Thames Polytechnic) on the corner of Warwick Road.

Nigel Brooks ● 4537d

Nigel and Chris, as you two seem to remember old familiar buildings and busniesses in Ealing, this question is a "long shot" which either(or both) of you might know...what was the large'ish building situated at the corner of St Mary's Road and Beaconsfield Road in W5? Its a large block of flats now called Ealing Court Mansions. I think it may have been a school at one time long ago. Any ideas? Thanks.

Gerry Tan ● 4537d

A few more oldies and memoriesKays Bond Street -sold rapidograph technical pens which are still availableSurgical store, (sold personal health / hygene type products) almost opposite Kays, can't remember name which had separate Ladies and Gentlemens entrancesConifiserie Francais in the Mall, did originally sell chocolates, sweets in the 1940's - my mum worked there.Later sold toys.United Dairies stables Broomfield Road West Ealing. Remember going there with my granddad to see the horses.

Chris Edwards ● 4537d

"Express Dairy the Mall, used to have a milk machine outside put your money in and get bottle of chocomilk."As did Jenkin's Dairy on Boston Road Hanwell (Now the Colorite paint shop)Big blue refrigerator 'thing' which took sixpence and gave you a choiuce of milk, strong orange squash or 'Mikki' chocolate milk.Jenkins also had the wonderful Dolly the Milkmaid who used to deliver the milk locally pulling an electrically-assisted handcart.

Nigel Brooks ● 4537d

Here's a few more oldiesCandys - sweetshop in St Marys Road, served Grange school, near B & L corner of Ranelagh Road.Barrells, another sweetshop, opposite Candys, later became Cornocopia health foods.Justers - grocery store corner of Sunnyside / St Marys RoadCrusader coffee bar, also St Marys Road, close to Red Lion pub, think now an office.Express Dairy the Mall, used to have a milk machine outside put your money in and get bottle of chocomilk.

Chris Edwards ● 4537d

Jim Lawes wrote" Has it been mentioned already? Claude Butler bikes.To which michael adams replied:"Claude Butler never had any shops North of The River."I stand corrected. My apologies I eventually remembered that the bike shop at 16 Bond Street was  owned by W.Hinds, in the 1960's as I had a frame resprayed there. (W Hinds was a member of the Hinds the Jewellers family )And that Claud Butler had gone bankrupt some time before that - in 1957 it turns out. However having done a bit of Googling, I turned up a Claud Butler catalogue/leaflet from 1951, listing one of their shops as being at 16 Bond Street Ealing.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 4538d

Jim Lawes wrote" Has it been mentioned already? Claude Butler bikes.----------------------------------The bike shop near the Popes Lane Junction wasF.H.Scott, known as Fred Scott who had a doublefronted shop at 163 165 South Ealing Road next toGoddards now Paddy Power. He built his own framesin the back of the shop.F.H.Scott Dragon frames and bikes were a much respected marque* and still get mentions mainly on US based vintage bikeforums. I only went in there once to a deserted shopwhen an elderly Mr Scott was truing up a wheelat the counter.*At one time West London was blessesd with craft buildersF.H. Scott in Ealing, Ken Ryall in Hounslow, Mal Rees in HayesPat Rohan in Rayners Lane etc.All my chear bike stuff, patches lapmps etc  was bought from Vickerys which has already been mentioned - a rundown shop acrossthe road where the Pizza Hut is now - run by anold boy (as he seemed then) with pebble glassesstubble and a beret.Claude Butler never had any shops North of The River.An ex racer, he started off in Wandsworth in the 30sdesigning his special own parts and frames andin addition to his one shop sold bikes and framesnationally through dealers as result of advertsingin Cycling Magazine.The bike shop in Bond Street while long established on theWest side of the Street may have featured and soldClaude Butler bikes. Clade Butler was eventuallybought out by Holdsworth another big cheese southof the river.Thanks to Michael Brandt for the name of Rodds.The two ladies, the tall one wearing a blue overall,glasses and a beret who used to wrap your purchases carefullyin newspaper and if I remeber rightlysounded a bit posh for people selling fruit and veg. And so unlike Mr Hill on the other side of the road.Then there was Hawkins, a local or nationalgrocery chain who had their own brand "Hawko",and had a branch in Northfoelds at around 34-36  Northfields Avenue. (Some addresses approximate courtesy of Google Maps/Street view).michael adams... 

Michael Adams ● 4538d

Gee, thanks Jim, yes I'm still around with my curmudgeonly old ways. Have you had any good breakfasts in Ealing lately?

Gerry Tan ● 4538d

Can remember the claud butler shop in Bond street, next to Kays and the YMCA and the walpole cinema.It was T S Vickery the bike shop in South Ealing road on the corner of Chandos Avenue. There was also A E Rodds the greengrocers run by a ruddy faced elderly lady with a blue gaberdine coat

Michael Brandt ● 4539d

Has it been mentioned already? Claude Butler bikes.I'm sure they had a branch in South Ealing Road near the Popes Lane junction ..perhaps on the site of the current Old Music Records shop. It's where I bought my first bike in the mid 1950s..a Philips Jaguar.It seems Claude Butler may have moved later to Bond Street.Anyone remember them?http://oldbike.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/1938cb.jpg?w=470&h=361&h=361

Jim Lawes ● 4539d

Over 8 years ago on this Forum..in a thread called "Northfields" .. I contributed as follows:Once upon a time..the Evening Standard Wine Bar of the Year Title was won by a bar just south of the Station. It was called Captain Wooduck's. (where Duffys is now).I remember an Aussie pianist play the best rendition of ..this will get Gerry going!...MISTY!.. that I have ever heard. Magic.Capt Wooduck's is sadly long gone... but dear Gerry is still around!! ;0)

Jim Lawes ● 4539d

Nigel Brooks wrote:"Thanks for that, wonderful to see GP 'packed to the gun'els'"I've just found the other one on Youtube. This is a Pathe newsreel short previewing Brentford'sprospects for the 1936/37 seasonhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuGpLRM2TJM(Brentford eventually finished 6th in the First Division, one place lower than their highestever position, 5th in 1935/36. The slide had begun.)What's interesting in this clip is that the roof is light and the Wheatlands advertisement(which is clearer in this clip)is in dark lettering. Whereas in 1953 it's the reverse. It does make you wonder how effective it can have been. Maybe the club got free boardroom furniture every few yearsby way of payment.michael adams

Michael Adams ● 4539d

Thanks for that, wonderful to see GP 'packed to the gun'els'

Nigel Brooks ● 4539d

Nigel Brooks wrote :Great memories." I didn't know about Wheatland's advertising on the roof at Griffin Park and had long assumed that KLM were the first to use that space."In 1953 Griffin Park was used as a location for a footballbased film - "The Great Game". There's a 14 minuteclip on Youtubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFzcqm3nxpoPart of the roof can be seen at 08.16I only realised it was Wheatland's after somebodykindly posted a '50's Brentford programme on the Web which contained a half page advertisement for Wheatlands. " I remember the Edding pens that were displayed in Kays of Ealing. They were hellishly expensive and I never understood why until I saw them in use in a drawing office."I made a mistake in saying Rapidographs replaced mapping pens. In fact they replaced ruling pens - the pens with two blades held together with a screw. The point about ruling pens is that they could be adjusted to draw linesof different widths - which is why the Rapidograph tubularpens came in so many different sizes. michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 4539d

Great memories.I didn't know about Wheatland's advertising on the roof at Griffin Park and had long assumed that KLM were the first to use that space.I remember the Edding pens that were displayed in Kays of Ealing. They were hellishly expensive and I never understood why until I saw them in use in a drawing office.Dunn & Co. were great and my father use to shop there. It was a little like 'the country comes to town' and they used to have an extensive range of tweeds and Tattersall shirts. I still have the two caps that my father bought for me.Thanks for jogging my memory.

Nigel Brooks ● 4539d

One shop that doesn't seem to have got a mention is Wheatlands Furniture which used to occupy the two frontages which are currently occupied by Ladbrokes and the vegetable shop at the western corner of Leeland Road.What's interesting about Wheatlands is that they used to advertise on the roof of the New Road stand at Brentford Football Ground even before World War Two. When the only air passengers likely to see it would have been the likes of Neville Chamberlain flying into Heston after his visits to Herr Hitler. Patrons in the directors box opposite and seats might have seen it but you'd imagine the novelty would soon wear off. There are Youtube clips available of the Brentford ground and players both from the 30's and 40'sTwo other shops are Meakers' which occupied the Eastern corner of Williams Rd/Uxbridge Rd before the road was  built over and M&S extended, and Dunns Stores in Ealing Broadway opposite W.H.Smiths, both of which were fairly conservative menswear chains which fell victim to changes in fashion.Mention has been made of Kays in Bond Street.In their left hand window they used to display he full range of the old style magnets, painted red with keep bars and usually boxed, and full sets of Rapidograph pens. Nowadays tiny and more powerful rare earth magnets are cheap as chips, while apart from the needs of school students, rapidographs seem to have gone the way of the mapping pens they themselves replaced.michael adams 

Michael Adams ● 4539d

Keith and Michael, yes I fondly remember the excellent Cornucopia health food and cheesemonger. 'twas owned by a kind and caring Welshman and his charming French wife - their children and ours went to the same schools in Ealing.  Yes the shop did eventually close from its last location in St Mary's Road, but the family still live in the borough(still do).It was always a pleasure to walk into the shop because there was always a distinctive and pleasant smell of dried pulses, cheese, bread and olives - sadly missed shop is Cornucopia.Incidentallly, we could do with a similar shop selling good quality salt beef and pickles in Ealing.

Gerry Tan ● 4551d

Michael, that's a delightful reminiscence of Ealing as I remembered it. Thanks for reminding us of good people, reiable shops and pleasant encounters of Ealing past. Thanks again.

Gerry Tan ● 4552d

Anyone remember the big dairy that's now Wicks?Georgie Hill's fruit and veg?The post office ( when it was next door to the Co-op by the 2 red phone boxes)Jim Jams clothes shop?The Gem sweet shop?South Ealing Underground ? ( the other side of the bridge )The Copper Kettle cafe?

Andy Wright ● 4552d

Cornucopia moved to St Mary's Road and was great for many years. Their take away food was amazing as were the cheeses.Then they just faded away. Odd really.

Michael Brandt ● 4552d

Anyone remember this no frills health food shop,down Western Rd I think?Also there used to be an elderly American(or he might have been pretending to be American) chap called Tex who used to live on Oxford Rd and could sometimes be seen standing outside his house,stetson and all, watching the world go by and passing the time of day with passers by..He once said to my sister 'I'd sure like to put my brand on your saddle !'and it was taken in the harmless and charming way that it was intended.A real old local character.

Keith Iddon ● 4552d

Thinking back, the choice and low cost of so much was better, although sometimes the quality was a bit iffy.What I really miss is that so many were proper local owned businesses with traders really involved with the town and that the faces were the same and you got to know them - not necessarily like them though!Lesters Newsagents in South Ealing Road where it really was Mr and Mrs Lester.Brayleys in Little Ealing Lane where it was Mr Brayley. Mr. Brayley and Mrs. BrayleyThomsons Newsagents in South Ealing Road where it was 'Thommo"The Pubs where 'Jolly Olly' Oliver Jolly was the Landlord.Ivy Miles the 'Queen of Ealing'  Landlady of The Kings Arms a pub complete with a Pianist and Organist!Mr Hooper of Hoopers Iron Mongers, Kitson and Pateman of PK HardwareKarim of the Zakya Indian Restauarant in South ealing Road.All very much part of what made it good, all with a great sense of service to their clientelle

Michael Brandt ● 4552d

That excellent cafe/rest in Oak Road was called The Albany. Its now Costas' Coffee. The Albany used to also do cheap and nourishing big breakfasts , toast and a cup of Nescafe, about 5/6d(in old money). Those were the days my friend!

Gerry Tan ● 4552d

I well remember the Greek owned cafe/restaurant in Oak Road and Oxford Road(long before the EBSC was built). I used to get a cheap meal of escalope of pork with chips and soggy cabbage followed by tinned fruit salad and cold custard, after night classes at Ealing Tech - about 6 bob as I remember.Life was simple those days.

Gerry Tan ● 4552d

That one's a bit before my time in Ealing Gerry.I used to live in a legal squat at 10 Oxford Rd( now Oak Rd) and there used to be a small Italian (or poss Greek) cafe in that parade but I don't remember a chippy (circa 1977/78).I remember the old Safeway supermarket with the large forecourt.Next stop after that was my weekend local,The Royal Oak.Great pub that was.

Keith Iddon ● 4552d

Yes, vaguely remember that row of shops with quirky basement shops - used to have a couple of estate agents there too, remember going there to discuss the purchase of our first small terrace house in late 50s(two up, two down cottage) on edge of Ealing Common!Does anyone remember a small fish 'n chip shop in Oak Road(where the bronze horse now stands near Lloyd's Bank, (near where the Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre) - the chippy had a small white marble wet fish counter too - used to get good fish suppers wrapped in newspaper! Cost about 4/11d! Happpy days!

Gerry Tan ● 4552d

Anyone remember the small craft shop called  No Man's Hand? It was in a basement(I think)in the parade of shops in that runs up the side of the church on the broadway?

Keith Iddon ● 4553d

OK, a few more.Glenton's gun shop on Northfield Avenue.Deval's wallpaper shop (same road).Radio Rentals, Granada, DER and Rediffusion (all in Ealing Broadway).All the 'disappeared' pubs (deserve a thread on their own).Andrews of Ealing (the Ford dealers) Ealing CommonHepworths, Ealing BroadwayMorris Brothers , High StreetB&L Accessories (the bike shop) by St. Mary's church.

Nigel Brooks ● 4553d

Lightwates (sp?) in Greenford Avenue - there were two shops either side of the Drayton Bridge Road junction.  The shop on the north side of the road junction was a traditional-style hardware shop.  The 'Lightwates' on the south side of the road junction sold gardening supplies.And what about Gentry's, the sweet shop, in Greenford Avenue, located between the two Lightwates shops . . ?

Andy Horridge ● 4553d

Ah, you missed Shellshear's (post #3). Great shop ad the last manager Les Dobie used to attend the social club at my church until just a few years ago.Shellshear's Sports (on the corner of Chignell) used, somehow to get buckets of used tennis balls from Wimbledon every year.

Nigel Brooks ● 4553d

Almost forgot, Shellshears in West Ealing and Hoopers in South Ealing who were ironmongers and had a fleet of Pink Parrafin vans.And PK Hardware and Clarks the Bakers in South ealing RoadAll really good

Michael Brandt ● 4553d

Boston Bumps anyone?

Tony Wood ● 4554d

The snooker hall which was in the old cinema opposite Dean's Gdns.Ugly flats now.Good to see Cherry Pye still going strong...!

Keith Iddon ● 4554d

The Silver Slipper café on Northfield Avenue (top of Blondin) where the Monty Python Spam sketch was filmed.

Nigel Brooks ● 4554d

......used to work there !

Penny Crocker ● 4554d

The Queen Vic,The Royal Oak,The Three Pigeons.Maxwell's chippy,Crusts,The Lido cafe.

Keith Iddon ● 4554d

Thanks, Solus Lighting was in my head, but I thought that I might be confusing it with the the equally wonderful (and still open) lighting shop in Acton High Street, which I've now remembered is actually of course Menos Lighting!

Dave Hawley ● 4554d

That was Kays of Ealing.Somewhere I still have the scale rules I purchased from them for my QS training.

Nigel Brooks ● 4555d

Solus LightingWhat was the name of the tool and drawing instrument place in Bond street opposite Kings Florist? Next to the YMCA?

Michael Brandt ● 4555d

There was a wonderful lighting shop in The Mall opposite Sellar Brothers, I can't remember what it was called.Lamertons had a massive furniture shop on Ealing High Street. It was absolutely huge, on several floors that seemed to take ages to walk from one end to the other. Their old building has now been completely empty and derelict upstairs for many years now sadly. Also Times Furnishing had a shop next to the church in the building on the New Broadway that's now been demolished, and Maples had a furniture shop in Bond Street, in the building where the new Xanadu hotel now is. We were certainly spoilt for choice for furniture in Ealing thirty years ago!

Dave Hawley ● 4555d

The  Royal Oak pub next to John Sanders,Sounds, Bette Davis, The sainsburys supermarket in the High Street and the small counter service sainsburys in The Broadway as well as one in west ealing broadway.Lilley and Skinner with the roundabout on the top floor.The posh shop next door to them that sold everything in Guineas even after decimalisation.The Egg Nest. The original Wimpy bar in West Ealing. That bookshop almost opposite.Brayleys model shop in Northfields, Cave's toy shop in Northfields, Confiserie Francais in the Mall.Kings Florist in Bond streetFine Fare in West EalingMacfisheries, Woolworths in bothJohn Colliers and Pauls' restaurant in New Broadway and of course,Northfields OdeonHarry Worth in the window of Willoughby Tailoring in New BroadwayWas it a better place then?

Michael Brandt ● 4557d

It did very well there though and the two owners sold up and moved to Devon very happy as I recall.Subsequent occupiers of the site were unfortunately unable to make the same go of it.

Tony Colliver ● 4557d

Just thought of one more, sadly long-gone, shop.Confiserie Française which, despite the name, was a long narrow toy shop and doll's hospital just along from the Nat West Bank on The Mall.

Nigel Brooks ● 4557d

You are right. The Grove is a little off the beaten track and a case of 'if you know it's there', Which is a shame as the deli and Café Grove are great.

Nigel Brooks ● 4557d

Noughts and Crosses was a good restaurant. Not the right location, I fear.

Susan Kelly ● 4557d

Blimey Gerry, even I don't go back to 1914 when Ho Chi Minh worked at the Drayton Court!

Nigel Brooks ● 4557d

Crickey, you fellas are older than I thought!  Thanks for adding to the old names of Ealing - I enjoyed that trip along memory lane.But how many of you remember a very young and callow youth working as a kitchen porter at The Drayton Arms hotel, across the road from the old Great Western Railway's West Ealing station(pre 1947)?  He grew up to be his country's national patriot by being one of the few people to knock the living daylights outa the mighty American Army and sent them away defeated.

Gerry Tan ● 4557d

I'd forgotten the other record shops and there was also Benstead's in west Ealing which had (like Squire's) listening booths and, when they were busy, used to charge 1/- (5p for younger readers) to listen to a record/records of your choice which was refunded if you purchased something.

Nigel Brooks ● 4557d

...a few more record shops:Magnum Force Records on Northfields Avenue*Lullaby of the Broadway - West EalingBeggar's Banquet - Bond Street* this was opposite Budgens. Can anyone remember the 'ranch' style cafe that used to be on the same parade. I'm sure they used to have a wagon wheel by the entrance....and also Brailey's toyshop  on the corner of Swyncombe Avenue (near the Plough). There used to be a good book shop opposite as well.

John Walker ● 4557d

Rowse's - Uxbridge Road, west EalingLamerton's - High Street, Ealing BroadwayBentalls - Springbridge Road then Ealing Broadway CentreJohn Sanders - where M&S are nowClay Brothers - High StreetAbernethies - west Ealing (where my parents purchased my first school blazer)Arthur Howards - Ealing Broadway and their factory was in Coldershaw RoadMaxwell's Ealing Broadway - a good chippieNoughts and Crosses - the 'Only Fools and Horses' café on The GroveAerated Bread Company - Ealing Broadway - cheese and tomato rolls to the masses - horrible bread.Squires - Ealing Broadway - a superb music storeThe Feathers - once a good pub then a run-down dump.The (Royal) Victoria - now The Grove The Forum - who knows maybe it will 'rise again'.The Walpole - first purpose built cinema in London. the entrance façade is still in a car park on Mattock LaneSellar Brothers - The Mall (expensive architectural ironmongers)Parker's - still proudly trading after 100 years.What aboutLynes Man AppealEaling SportsShellshear'sShellshear's SportsWoolworthsCloud Nine RecordsTaplinsMarshall'sThe Odeon Northfield(s)Ingleton's Jewellers

Nigel Brooks ● 4557d

Rowse's.Mo's,The Feather's all remind me of my youth (or yoot as it is now pronounced!)

Simon Wycombe ● 4557d