Lewis's in Birmingham

[Peg Monkey]

Perhaps you are among these drivers Peg?

There's a good chance, Phil!
Thanks.
Peg.

[Peg Monkey]

Minories - 1938. Venue for many a Salvation Army Christmas Carol Performance.
Peg.
P.S. Looks like the horse and cart approaching isn't the first that day.

[Peg Monkey]

Old Square - 1962.
Peg.
P.S. Anyone remember the name of Lewis's own brand goods?

[JudithM]

P.S. Looks like the horse and cart approaching isn't the first that day.

     

[Phil]

Minories - 1938. Venue for many a Salvation Army Christmas Carol Performance.
Peg.
P.S. Looks like the horse and cart approaching isn't the first that day.

It was most likely one of these beasts that was responsible whilst being exercised in the Minories.

[Peg Monkey]

It was most likely one of these beasts that was responsible whilst being exercised in the Minories.

Peg.
P.S. Was almost like a trip to the dentist for the second lad by the look on his face.   I had to make do with a board across the arms of the chair when I went to the barbers on Hockley Brook - 2/- for a short back and sides - does that sound about right for a lad c1957?
I was fair, my dad was jet black, he used Brylcreem - I thought that was his secret, I wanted his hair colour so I used it by the bucket-load for awhile - didn't work.
P.P.S. If my barber had been half as cute as Lewis's I'd have gone a lot more often.

[JudithM]

It was most likely one of these beasts that was responsible whilst being exercised in the Minories.

The expression on the kid's face in the second picture 

[Scipio]

Peg.
P.S. Was almost like a trip to the dentist for the second lad by the look on his face.   I had to make do with a board across the arms of the chair when I went to the barbers on Hockley Brook - 2/- for a short back and sides - does that sound about right for a lad c1957?
I was fair, my dad was jet black, he used Brylcreem - I thought that was his secret, I wanted his hair colour so I used it by the bucket-load for awhile - didn't work.
P.P.S. If my barber had been half as cute as Lewis's I'd have gone a lot more often.

As a nipper I used to go just up the street to Les & Ray on Monument road , like you Peg it was aboard across the arms of the barbers chair I sat on . When we moved from Springfield St 1955 . We moved To William St off Broad St a couple of years later in Granville St ,
Les & Ray opened a new shop. I suppose Monument Rd premises were closed due to redevelopment . What I did forget to say I was regular at Lewis's as a child for Father Christmas and Uncle Holly , do any forum members remember during the summer when they used to have a selection of animals on the roof ?

[astoness]

I believe this escalator must have been a first in Birmingham and was most likely installed in 1932-33 when Lewis's having purchased the whole corner block of Corporation Street, Bull Street and Old Square including Newbury's department store & Berlin House. They then set about turning it into the largest department store in the city. I know that visiting the store as a child half the excitement of visiting the toy department on the fifth floor was riding the "moving stairs" up the five floors.

cracking photo phil


lyn

[Peg Monkey]

Old Square - 1962.
Peg.
P.S. Anyone remember the name of Lewis's own brand goods?

Not sure about the font, but it look pretty close.
Peg.

[Snooks]

I have come to this thread late but I remember Lewis's really well. If I was lucky my mum would buy me an ice cream there when we were shopping. I also remember seeing Father Christmas there and having a picture taken sitting on his lap. It was Lewis's my mum took me too to have my hair cut properly as a treat. My dad would put a pudding basin on my head and cut round it... true! I was very small but I also remember having the ends of my hair singed with a match after it has been cut!

And like others remember the roof garden. I thought it was amazing!